Stranded live export ship to offload some of 16,500 animals in WA before resuming journey to Middle East
A stranded live export ship carrying about 16,500 animals will be partially offloaded in Western Australia before resuming its journey to export the livestock.
About 16,500 animals are packed into the MV Bahijah – as the state endures heatwave conditions – which was ordered by the federal government to abandon its voyage to the Middle East due to Houthi rebel attacks in the Red Sea.
It has since returned to Australian waters, with authorities scrambling to formulate a plan to quarantine the livestock.
The premier, Roger Cook, said the carrier could dock on Thursday after the export company managing the animals rejected the offer of a berth on Tuesday.
“They decided to delay docking – could be for a range of logistical reasons – so those animals, hopefully, will be disembarked tomorrow,” he told reporters.
“The other information I have is that they’ve done significant efforts in making sure they clean the stalls and provide new bedding and water and food for those animals.”
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said the exporter had applied to unload some animals before re-exporting those remaining aboard the vessel.
“The department is assessing this application as a priority, including working closely with our trading partners to ensure any decision to re-export the animals would be supported by the intended market,” a spokesperson said.
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The department said the exporter’s veterinarian on the ship was monitoring the livestock and liaising with the department.
“All reports to date indicate there are no signs of any significant health or welfare concerns with the livestock on
board,” the spokesperson said.
The department is also considering whether to have an independent vet assess the livestock.
“These are complex decisions that must balance Australian biosecurity, export legislation, animal welfare considerations and the requirements of our international trading partners,” the spokesperson said.
The MV Bahijah loaded cattle and sheep in Fremantle and departed for the Middle East on 5 January and was ordered to return to Australia on 20 January.
The federal member for Fremantle, Josh Wilson, said there were serious animal welfare concerns about the exporter’s plan to resume its journey with some of the animals.
“That would perhaps be another 30 to 33 days at sea, instead of a 15-day voyage,” he told 6PR Perth.
“You’ve got sheep on a stinking hot ship for 60 days – it’s pretty hard to think that that accords with the animal welfare standards that Australians expect to be applied.”
Perth’s temperature is forecast to peak at about 39C on Wednesday and Thursday and 37C on Friday.