Sheep deaths blamed on weather, overcrowding

EXTREME weather and overcrowding is to blame for a “tragic domino effect” that left sheep dying in their own excrement and struggling to breathe on a Middle East-bound ship, Australia’s Livestock Exporters’ Council chief says.

A furore erupted after shocking footage from the Emanuel Exports ship in August was broadcast on Sunday night, prompting calls for a summer ban on live exports.

ALEC’s Simon Westaway stands by “generally good standards” in the industry but admits they were not reflected in footage. He’s pointed to fact tors including extreme weather, overcrowding of sheep and travelling to a hotter port in Qatar because of economic bans at the time.

“That’s created this absolutely tragic domino effect,” Mr Westaway said yesterday.

He said there had been “a small number” of these events in previous years, including last year where standards were breached. While there’s legislation before parliament to double penalties for companies that breach animal welfare standards, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud wants harsher punishments for company directors.

He was due to hold emergency talks with WA Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan and WA farmers yesterday as another load of sheep was being prepared for transport on the same vessel, the Awassi Express. Ms MacTiernan has called for a live export summer ban.