WA live-export activists pelted with eggs

Protesters have tried to block live-export trucks after being pelted with eggs by supporters. Source: AAP

EGGS were thrown and a woman carrying a child jumped in front of a truck as anti live-export demonstrators and farmers held duelling rallies in Fremantle.

Stop Live Exports co-ordinator Katrina Love said about 1000 people formed a human chain across Stirling Bridge on Sunday morning, up from 370 last year.

At the same time, about 900 farmers, breeders and live export industry workers held a rally on the foreshore below as a procession of about a dozen trucks, plastered with banners in support of the trade, drove across the bridge.

Ms Love said the protest was largely peaceful, but a handful of demonstrators - including a woman carrying a child - jumped in front of the trucks in an effort to stop them.

She said she did not condone those actions and the protesters would have been instructed to make a more symbolic gesture if police had warned organisers about the convoy.

"We could have asked everyone to turn their backs to the trucks, which would have been more poignant," Ms Love told AAP.

She said eggs were hurled at demonstrators - presumably by people in support of the live export trade - from passing cars.

And there had also previously been threats of violence posted on Stop Live Exports' Facebook page, "including being shot at", she said.

Ms Love said police had been advised of the threats, but decided not to stop the counter rally.

Police said attendees to both rallies were generally well behaved apart from a few minor incidents.

No arrests were made, but two move-on notices were issued.

Ms Love said Stop Live Exports was not calling for an immediate end to the trade, as this would cause economic hardship.

Instead, it wanted live exports to be phased out over the next three to 10 years and be replaced with processing in Australia, she said.

"We want to see governments getting involved in looking for options that are viable for producers, but also humane," Ms Love said.

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