Thousands of animals are currently stranded on a ship after a docking offer from Western Australia (WA) was rejected. The earliest potential disembarkation for the cattle is now Thursday, as an Australian government veterinarian is scheduled to inspect the vessel on Wednesday for the welfare of the animals.
According to Mick Cook, the general manager of WA’s southern port, they offered a berth to the export company on Tuesday. However, the company chose to delay docking, potentially due to logistical reasons. Mr. Cook also suggested that the animals might be better off on the ship rather than in a hot holding yard in WA.
The Bahijah, the ship carrying the livestock, had initially changed its course earlier this month due to concerns about security in the Red Sea. The plan was to reroute via the Cape of Good Hope after restocking with fodder. However, the vessel was instructed to return to Australia.
Despite the assurance from the Bahijah’s veterinarian that there were no significant health issues among the animals, the exporter has applied to the government for permission to unload some of them. This incident has reignited calls for the Albanese government to uphold its commitment to phasing out the live sheep export trade. The state Labor government opposes this policy.
While the Agriculture Department and Mr. Cook assured the public about the good health of the sheep and cattle, federal member for Fremantle, Josh Wilson, characterized the situation as an animal welfare crisis. He emphasized the incongruity between subjecting sheep to extreme heat onboard a ship for 60 days and the animal welfare standards expected by Australians.
Once some animals have been offloaded in Fremantle and additional fodder has been loaded, it is expected that the ship’s operator will choose to travel to the Middle East via the Cape of Good Hope. This alternative route will significantly extend the journey.
It is important to note that despite the sheep being Australian, they must pass strict biosecurity clearances before being allowed to disembark in the country. The Department of Agriculture emphasized that while these are high-quality Australian animals, they would still be subjected to stringent biosecurity controls upon arrival.
In conclusion, thousands of animals are stranded on a ship after an offer to dock in Western Australia was turned down. The earliest opportunity for disembarkation seems to be on Thursday, pending a welfare inspection. The situation has sparked debates about the live sheep export trade and animal welfare standards. Despite the challenges, the authorities are committed to ensuring the animals’ health and adhering to biosecurity regulations.
