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. 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. 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. “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. 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. “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. 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. “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.”
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.