RSPCA urges ban on live exports

A record shipment of cattle has arrived in Indonesia after leaving Townsville two weeks ago, amid renewed calls from the RSPCA for a ban on all live animal exports destined for slaughter.

The animal welfare organisation's Doctor Hugh Wirth says disease can spread quickly among animals on board the ships and many die en route.

Dr Wirth says it can take around three weeks for sheep and cattle to reach their destination.

"From the time they're selected on the property until the time they get shipside, then they've got the ship journey, landing in the country they've got importing them, and then distribution across another country, and finally slaughter," he said.