Shame ship in doldrums

THE ship at the centre of a live-export row, after shocking footage of sheep dying in sweltering conditions screened a week ago, is set to be cleared to travel to the Middle East.

The MV Awassi Express has been languishing in Fremantle Port as it undergoes improvements to meet new airflow standards implemented by the Federal Government, after 2400 sheep died from extreme heat during a voyage to the Middle East in August 2017.

Two other ships have been docked since the Awassi was grounded in Fremantle, with the MV Maysora departing for Turkey on Thursday with 77,000 sheep and 9500 cattle on board.

The Department of Agriculture has confirmed the livestock carrier was granted an export licence and the voyage will be video monitored by a government inspector.

RSPCA Australia has offered to send its own, independent inspector on the next eight live-export journeys.

“We need to make sure farmers and the public are not let down again, and that the welfare of these animals is properly monitored,” RSPCA chief scientist Bidda Jones said.

Pressure for a ban on live exports has intensified with independent Tasmania MP Andrew Wilkie joining animal welfare supporters at a Hobart rally on Saturday, calling for an urgent end to the “systemic cruelty”.