A ship carrying 65,000 live sheep and 250 cattle to the Middle East will be blocked from leaving Australia if the export company fails to meet strict new conditions.

Emanuel Exports has been told "shocking" footage from last year showing live exports on one of its vessels suffering from heat stress and other poor conditions has raised serious concerns about animal welfare.

Agriculture Department Assistant Secretary Narelle Clegg wrote to Emanuel manager Nicholas Daws on Thursday, outlining the proposed conditions.

The department wants the amount of stock on the ship to be reduced, and independently gathered video and photographs of conditions sent to the department every day after it sets sail.

Stocking density, food and water regimes, and ventilation are also included in its concerns.

Ms Clegg said new information had shown previous evidence of overcrowding on Emanuel vessels "over a period in 2017".

"A large number of sheep were suffering from heat stress, sheep were not able to readily access food and water, sick and injured sheep were not treated or euthanised, (and) the management of the removal of dead animals was insufficient," Ms Clegg's letter said.

Emanuel will need departmental approval to export its current shipment, which is due to leave Fremantle for Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar on Tuesday.

Footage of a shipment from August last year is expected be shown on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes program on Sunday night.

About 2400 sheep died on the 2017 voyage, with Agriculture Minister David Littleproud on Thursday announcing an investigation into the shipping company's practices.

"I saw footage provided to me by Animals Australia which is very disturbing. I am shocked and gutted. This is the livelihood of Australian farmers that are on that ship," he said.

Labor's agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon says he was concerned the department's investigation found no breach of regulatory standards.

"That can only mean one of two things. Either the investigative processes are flawed, or the standards are insufficient," he said.</s>Government says improvements must be made on ship scheduled to carry 65,000 sheep to the Middle East before it leaves

The federal government will block the departure of a live export ship next week unless it makes serious improvements to the conditions and welfare of the sheep onboard.



On Thursday the agriculture minister, David Littleproud, launched an urgent investigation into his department after viewing footage filmed on an Emanuel Exports ship and obtained by Animals Australia.

Littleproud said the video, which shows conditions on the ship where about 2,400 sheep died while being transported from Fremantle to the Middle East in August 2017, was disturbing.

The ship had left Fremantle carrying 63,804 sheep, but the high mortality rate of 3.76% due to heat stress triggered a departmental investigation.

Emanuel Exports is currently preparing to export about 65,000 sheep and 250 cattle to Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar on Tuesday.

But in a letter from the department’s assistant secretary, Narelle Clegg, seen by Guardian Australia, the company was told it must make a number of improvements before it will be allowed to leave.

If they wish to be allowed to leave Fremantle with the livestock Emanuel Exports must have reduced the stock density by at least 15%, and have a government-funded independent observer on board who will send daily photos and video back. They must also clean the deck, it said.

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“Under the [Australian Meat and Livestock Industry] Act, the Australian government has a responsibility to act in the interest of all those involved in the sustainable export of livestock,” the letter said.

“The department has become aware of new information which raises serious concerns about animal health and welfare during the export of live sheep to the Middle East by Emanuel over a period in 2017.”

The information indicated that sheep were in overcrowded pens and not able to readily access food and water. A large number of sheep suffered heat stress, sick and injured sheep were not treated or euthanised, and the management of the removal of dead animals was insufficient, it continued.

There was also a “significant build-up of animal waste” which led to sheep becoming bogged, and allegations that the accredited vet and stockperson on one voyage left the vessel early.

The department barred Emanuel’s export from going ahead without prior approval from the secretary. The exporter must submit its proposals to meet the government’s demands.

The whistleblower-filmed footage which Littleproud viewed showed dead and decaying sheep.



“I saw footage provided to me by Animals Australia, which is very disturbing,” Littleproud said.

“This is the livelihood of Australian farmers that are on that ship ... This is their pride and joy and this is total bullshit that what I saw has taken place.”

Littleproud said he had written to the department and live export industry upon receipt of the original investigation into the August incident, before he saw the Animals Australia footage.

Labor’s agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon says he was concerned the department’s investigation found no breach of regulatory standards.



“That can only mean one of two things. Either the investigative processes are flawed, or the standards are insufficient,” he said.

Footage of a shipment from August last year is expected be shown on Channel Nine’s 60 Minutes program on Sunday night.</s>A ship carrying 65,000 live sheep and 250 cattle to the Middle East will be blocked from leaving Australia if the export company fails to meet strict new conditions.

Emanuel Exports has been told "shocking" footage from last year showing live exports on one of its vessels suffering from heat stress and other poor conditions has raised serious concerns about animal welfare.

Agriculture Department Assistant Secretary Narelle Clegg wrote to Emanuel manager Nicholas Daws on Thursday, outlining the proposed conditions.

The department wants the amount of stock on the ship to be reduced, and independently gathered video and photographs of conditions sent to the department every day after it sets sail.

Stocking density, food and water regimes, and ventilation are also included in its concerns.

Ms Clegg said new information had shown previous evidence of overcrowding on Emanuel vessels "over a period in 2017".

"A large number of sheep were suffering from heat stress, sheep were not able to readily access food and water, sick and injured sheep were not treated or euthanised, (and) the management of the removal of dead animals was insufficient," Ms Clegg's letter said.

Emanuel will need departmental approval to export its current shipment, which is due to leave Fremantle for Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Qatar on Tuesday.

Footage of a shipment from August last year is expected be shown on Channel Nine's 60 Minutes program on Sunday night.

About 2400 sheep died on the 2017 voyage, with Agriculture Minister David Littleproud on Thursday announcing an investigation into the shipping company's practices.

"I saw footage provided to me by Animals Australia which is very disturbing. I am shocked and gutted. This is the livelihood of Australian farmers that are on that ship," he said.

Labor's agriculture spokesman Joel Fitzgibbon says he was concerned the department's investigation found no breach of regulatory standards.

"That can only mean one of two things. Either the investigative processes are flawed, or the standards are insufficient," he said.</s>The Australian agriculture minister, David Littleproud, has launched an urgent investigation in the department of agriculture over livestock deaths on a live export ship, saying conditions on the ship were “bullshit.”

About 2,400 sheep died on an Emanuel Exports ship from Fremantle to the Middle East in August 2017, mostly from heat stress. A whistleblower filmed conditions on the ship and provided the footage to Animals Australia, which showed it to Littleproud on Wednesday.

He said the footage showed dead and decaying sheep.

“I saw footage provided to me by Animals Australia, which is very disturbing,” Littleproud said. “I am shocked and gutted.

“This is the livelihood of Australian farmers that are on that ship ... This is their pride and joy and this is total bullshit that what I saw has taken place.”

The ship left Fremantle on 1 August carrying 63,804 sheep bound for Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. It was subject to the standard investigation by the federal environment department because the number of sheep killed by heat stress pushed the mortality rate to 3.76%.

All live export shipments with mortality rates of more than 2% are subject to review.

Littleproud said he had already demanded an explanation from the department after receiving the report into this incident on 29 March, before being made aware of the Animals Australia footage.

“There was an unacceptable fatality rate because of a heat event,” he said. “I asked for further information. I also wrote to the live export industry.”

In a statement on Thursday, Littleproud said he had an urgent meeting with the department since viewing the footage and thanked Animals Australia – an organisation that has previously been in conflict with federal agriculture ministers – for sharing the footage.

“I’m shocked and deeply disturbed by the vision,” the statement said. “I thank Animals Australia for bringing this to my attention.

“We need to create an environment where groups, whistleblowers and individuals are comfortable and confident coming forward so we can nail those who do the wrong thing.”</s>Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has started an investigation into the deaths of almost 3000 livestock during transit to the Middle East after being supplied with footage of decaying sheep by Animals Australia.

Mr Littleproud said what occurred was just "total bullshit" and "disgusting" and has asked for the shipping company's practices on the August 2017 export to be thoroughly examined.

He said about 60,000 sheep were being exported from Perth to the Middle East and, although there was a vet onboard the ship, 2900 died because of a heat event.</s>Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has launched an investigation into the deaths of thousands of livestock during transit to the Middle East after being supplied with footage of decaying sheep by Animals Australia.

Mr Littleproud said what occurred was just "total bullshit" and "disgusting" and has asked for the shipping company's practices on the August 2017 export to be thoroughly examined.

He said 63,000 sheep were being exported from Perth to the Middle East and, although there was a vet onboard the ship, 2400 died because of a heat event.

A report was submitted by the shipping company last Thursday and the minister requested further information when he saw the fatality rate and research about "high heat mortalities".

However, on Wednesday, footage taken during the export of the sheep was supplied to his office.

These included two four-minute videos which depicted dead and decaying sheep, he said.

"There was an unacceptable fatality rate because of a heat event. I asked for further information. I also wrote to the live export industry," Mr Littleproud said.

"I saw footage provided to me by Animals Australia which is very disturbing. I am shocked and gutted. This is the livelihood of Australian farmers that are on that ship."

"This is their pride and joy and this is total bullshit that what I saw has taken place," he added.

He thanked Animals Australia for acting as a whistle blower.

Mr Littleproud promised to take strong action against those who have not fulfilled their responsibilities, whether they be the exporter, the regulator or staff on ships.

"I support the farmers who rely on live export and the exporters who do the right thing. We need this trade for our farmers," he said.

"Farmers care for their animals and they'll be angry and hurt when they see this footage."</s>Disturbing scenes from inside a ship transporting thousands of sheep has shown lambs being tossed overboard and others decaying in their own feces.

Evidence of horrific conditions on the ship carrying 63,000 sheep to the Middle East, during which 2400 were killed, has sparked an investigation from Federal Agriculture Minister, David Littleproud.

He described practices on-board the horror ship from Perth to Doha in August 2017 as 'total bullshit' and 'disgusting', and called for immediate action to be taken.

Mr Littleproud launched an investigation after being submitted a report from the shipping company last Thursday stating the large number of fatalities.

On Wednesday, he was sent the alarming footage from Animals Australia, prompting him to call for an urgent inquiry into the horrific treatment of exported sheep.

'I saw footage provided to me by Animals Australia which is very disturbing. I am shocked and gutted. This is the livelihood of Australian farmers that are on that ship,' he said.

Mr Littleproud said the Agriculture Department would urgently investigate the matter.

'This cannot go on. If you are doing the wrong thing, you're going to get nailed. The pride and joy of our Australian farmers, being treated in this way, disturbed me greatly.'

'I will not be afraid to call out and take strong action against those who have not fulfilled their responsibilities, whether they be the exporter, the regulator or staff on ships.'

The footage was described as 'highly distressing' by The Australian Livestock Exporters' Council, News.com.au reported.

'These deaths and the conditions in which they occurred are plainly unacceptable,' chief executive Simon Westaway said.

A startling 12,377 sheep being exported were killed in transit last year alone.</s>THE ship at the centre of the latest live exports controversy is likely to depart Fremantle early next week but with tighter animal welfare conditions imposed by the federal government.

Federal Agriculture and Water Resources Minister David Littleproud has written to Emanuel Exporters Managing Director Graham Daws seeking assurances of stricter animal welfare measures for the Awassi Express that’s due to load 65,000 sheep and 250 head of cattle, in a consignment headed for the Middle East.

The ship is scheduled to depart on April 10 and complete discharge of its livestock on May 1.

But it was involved in a controversial incident last year where 2400 sheep died mostly due to heat stress and was subject to a regulatory investigation by Mr Littleproud’s Department.

The vessel will also feature in a 60 Minutes episode this weekend through video footage supplied by Animals Australia via whistle-blower that Mr Littleproud viewed this week which sparked his outspoken response yesterday and condemnation of its contents, igniting national headlines.

“This is the livelihoods of Australian farmers on that ship – that is their pride and joy and it’s just total bullshit that what I saw, is taking place,” he told media yesterday.

The letter reminds Emanuel Exporters that the federal government has responsibility to act in the interests to “all those involved in the sustainable export of livestock”.

That list included producers, exporters, support industries like transport and “the broader Australian community that relies on the Australian government to enforce standards that reflects their values, including protecting the welfare of exported animals”.

Mr Littleproud’s letter warns of new information that had come to light regarding the 2017 shipment where 2400 sheep died including; overcrowded pens; large numbers of sheep suffering heat stress; sheep unable to readily access food and water; and sick and injured sheep not being treated or euthanised.

He said he was concerned the shipment may have been too heavily stocked on previous voyages which appeared to have led to adverse animal welfare outcomes.

Among the fresh demands for next week’s departure, he’s requested a stocking rate greater than the 15 per cent reduction that’s been used in previous voyages which has had a “material impact” on mortality rates.

Other requests include increased ventilation and sufficient stockpersons, veterinarians, trained crew on board to maintain animal welfare and health, feeding and watering plans for the shipment and a proposal to ensure the conditions of the ship’s decks are maintained.

“The Department is seeking ongoing objective and verifiable evidence to be reported daily throughout the journey – this includes having an independent observer on board the vessel and the provision of more detailed daily reports, including with images,” it said.

The letter warns the Department Secretary’s approval is needed, in response to the company’s written request, before the livestock can be loaded onto the ship.

Mr Daws said he expected to meet the Department’s demands and the ship to depart on schedule after loading, which other industry sources also reflected despite an anticipated backlash, given the timing of departure and the 60 Minutes episode featuring footage also taken in 2016.

He said the vessel in question had come under scrutiny after the 2017 incident and tighter animal welfare measures were implemented.

At that time, the Department’s response required Emanuel to comply with a heat stress management plan for the company’s next consignment to the Middle East in September 2017 which recorded a 0.52pc mortality rate.

Its understood the planned 68,000 head voyage will be revised down to 58,000.

Sheep Producers Australia (SPA) President Allan Piggott said sheep producers were upset, angry and disappointed about serious animal welfare failures in the live sheep trade to the Middle East, reported by media this week.

“SPA supports the livestock export trade because it is an important component of some producers’ livelihoods, especially those in Western Australia - however, we expect best practice animal welfare protocols and expect strict enforcement if standards are not met,” he said.

“We welcome Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud’s statement announcing a review to determine why these shipments did not meet the expectations of sheep producers and the broader community.

“We’ll be working with the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council, which has already stated that animal welfare is its biggest investment and highest priority.

“As producers, we want to know that once animals leave our care, they are well looked after and we support strict enforcement of standards to achieve this.”

The incident has also triggered renewed calls to ban live exports by the Greens and independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie.
• Does this article interest you? Scroll down to the comments section and start the conversation. You only need to sign up once and create a profile in the Disqus comment management system for permanent access to all discussions.</s>The Australian government says it will investigate how thousands of sheep died on a live export ship last year.

About 2,400 animals succumbed to heat stress while travelling from Perth to three nations in the Middle East in August, according to the government.

One minister said he was "shocked and deeply disturbed" after seeing footage supplied by an animal rights group.

On Friday, Canberra threatened to block an upcoming shipment if welfare requirements were not met.

The deaths in August comprised 3.76% of the 63,800 sheep on board the ship, almost twice the percentage that requires formal investigation, the government said.

It said the animals had endured extreme heat on the voyage to Qatar, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the industry must be conducted "properly and sustainably".

"This is the livelihoods of Australian farmers that are on that ship," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Mr Littleproud did not give details about the footage, which had been provided by Animals Australia.

Although acknowledging the trade's importance to farmers, Mr Littleproud said whistleblowers should be supported to come forward "so we can nail those who do the wrong thing".

Animal rights groups in Australia have previously called for the suspension of live exports due to welfare concerns.

In 2011, Australia suspended its live trade to Indonesia for six months after a TV documentary showed graphic footage of animals being mistreated.

The government said it would block another shipment of 65,000 sheep, due to leave Perth on Monday, if the exporter fails to meet animal welfare measures.

They include reducing the number of livestock by at least 15%, travelling with an independent observer, and providing images for each day of the journey.

The Australian Livestock Exporters Council, an industry body, said it was committed to improving animal welfare.

According to the body, nearly 12,400 of 1.74 million sheep died during exports last year - a mortality rate of 0.71%.

"The range of livestock mortalities... is trending down, but our industry is determined to achieve better outcomes," the group said in a statement.</s>The Australian government says it will investigate how thousands of sheep died on a live export ship last year.

About 2,400 animals succumbed to heat stress while travelling from Perth to three nations in the Middle East in August, according to the government.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said he was "shocked and deeply disturbed" by footage that had been given to him by an animal rights group.

The live export trade has previously sparked heated debate in Australia.

The deaths comprised 3.76% of the 63,800 sheep on board the ship, almost twice the level that requires formal investigation, the government said.

Mr Littleproud called for the trade to be conducted "properly and sustainably".

"This is the livelihoods of Australian farmers that are on that ship," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Thursday.

The ship was bound for Qatar, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates, the government said.

Mr Littleproud did not give details about the footage, which had been provided by Animals Australia.

Although acknowledging the trade's importance to farmers, Mr Littleproud said whistleblowers should be supported to come forward "so we can nail those who do the wrong thing".

Animal rights groups in Australia have previously called for the suspension of live exports due to welfare concerns.

In 2011, Australia suspended its live trade to Indonesia for six months after a TV documentary showed graphic footage of animals being mistreated.
Australia says it will prevent the departure of a ship due to carry 65,000 sheep to the Middle East next week unless the operators can reassure the government of the animals' welfare. The government launched an investigation yesterday after a video depicting conditions on the ship emerged.