Controversial cattle ship heading to NZ
A ship that has been stopped from taking a consignment of live cattle from Australia to China over biosecurity concerns is now sailing towards New Zealand to pick up 4700 cattle for China.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) animal health and welfare director Dr Chris Rodwell confirmed he was considering an application for the export of livestock for breeding purposes.
The Yangtze Fortune is due to berth at Napier Port this weekend, and if approved, the shipment would leave early next week.
Last month 5400 breeding cattle were shipped from Napier to China, by its sister ship Yangtze Harmony, amid a Government review of live animal exports. The trade in live cattle is worth $30 million a year.
An Australian Department of Agriculture spokesman said the shipment of 5000 cattle from Portland, Victoria last month was halted because China’s export protocols had not been adhered to.
It was not stopped for animal welfare reasons, although animal rights group Safe said the Yangtze Fortune had a bad track record in that regard.
Following a shipment last year from Australia to China when 33 cattle died, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority inspected the Yangtze Fortune on its return and said the vessel was not suited to voyages of more than 10 days.
MPI said there had been a problem with the ventilation system on the boat.
Safe campaigns manager Marianne Macdonald said MPI should reject the company’s export certificate application.
‘‘The Yangtze Fortune is a high-risk live export ship embroiled in a biosecurity investigation, but it appears to be business as usual for the New Zealand Government.’’
Rodwell said applications must satisfy strict animal welfare requirements and no exports would be allowed until the vessel was thoroughly inspected.
‘‘We introduced strengthened requirements earlier this year which state that exporters are required to provide a report on the condition of the animals 30 days after their arrival at their destination.’’