The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment has granted Rural Export and Trading (WA) Pty Ltd an exemption to the prohibition of export of sheep by sea to the Middle East, following the submission of a second application for exemption by the exporter. A detailed statement of reasons for this decision is available on the department's website.
This decision was based on a separate application submitted by the exporter, not an appeal of the decision not to grant an exemption made by the department last week.
The exporter's second application detailed an alternative approach for managing the voyage, including animal welfare.
The exemption includes strict measures to protect the health and welfare of the sheep, including:
- Utilising the livestock vessel the Al Kuwait, a purpose built livestock carrier
- Unloading at one port only
- Not loading an area of the vessel known to be hotter due to engine room location
- Limiting the weight of the sheep loaded on the vessel, focussing on those sheep most well adapted to tolerating heat
- Providing additional pen area over that currently required on any livestock voyage and which exceeds those required under the updated Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock
- Requiring loading to cease by midnight on 17 June 2020
An Australian Government Accredited Veterinarian will accompany the voyage, with additional reporting requirements placed on the exporter.
