A majority of Australians support the continuation of live exports provided there are guarantees cattle will be treated humanely in foreign markets, according to a national poll.

The latest Essential Report released yesterday reveals strong public support for the long term future of the live cattle industry, despite the powerful public campaign by animal rights groups in recent weeks to have it permanently shut down.

The Essential Report is a weekly poll conducted by Essential Media Communications and Your Source Market Research drawing on the responses of more than 1000 randomised survey participants nationally.

In the past week it has gauged public opinions on the Australian Government’s decision to suspend live cattle exports to Indonesia, and whether the Government should pay compensation to affected cattle producers.

It found that a majority of respondents (58pc for versus 28pc against) supported the Federal Government’s decision to suspend live cattle exports to Indonesia on animal welfare grounds.

However 72pc of all respondents favoured the long term continuation of the trade, with only 22pc favouring a full ban.

Of total respondents, 58pc supported the continuation of the trade to countries that can guarantee Australian cattle will be treated humanely, and 14pc favoured continued exports to any country that wants Australian cattle.

The majority of respondents (61pc) also believed the Labor Government should pay compensation to cattle farmers directly affected by the Government’s suspension, with only 21pc believing they should not be compensated.

The survey also breaks down support according to political allegiances, and it found that despite strong calls by The Greens politicians for a permanent ban on live exports, only a minority of Greens voters surveyed (30pc) supported a total ban.

Most supported live exports to countries that can treat animals humanely (56pc of self-declared greens voters participating in the survey) and also supported compensation to affected farmers (55pc).

More detailed results of the poll can be viewed by clicking here