NSW rural-based Liberal MP Sussan Ley on Monday introduced a private member's bill to ban the sheep trade to the Middle East over five years, with a three-month freeze in the meantime over the European summer from July to September.

Ms Ley reflected on her career as a sheep farmer, mustering pilot and shearing shed worker as she argued that long-haul live exports fail on economic and animal welfare grounds.

"I have been shocked, angered, bewildered and disappointed... (but) I have not allowed emotions to overcome reason," Ms Ley told the lower house on Monday.

Farmers had been deceived for 30 years by an export industry that had talked the talk, but was "damn right culpable" when it comes to walking the walk, Ms Ley said.

"Regulations written on paper in Australia cease to mean anything once the ship departs," she said.

"Sanctioning further voyages on these ships of shame, particularly into a Middle Eastern summer, damages our brand."

Ms Ley fears the agriculture minister's new safeguards don't go far enough.

"A 60-kilogram sheep will be allocated extra space equivalent to just under two A4 pieces of paper," Ms Ley said.

Debate on the bill was adjourned.

Australian Associated Press