Live export sheep deaths spark crackdown: Emanuel Exports Ship blocked unless conditions met

A SHIP carrying 65,000 sheep to the Middle East will be blocked from leaving Australia unless certain conditions are met after footage of ‘disturbing’ livestock deaths was revealed.

A SHIP carrying 65,000 sheep will be blocked from leaving Australia unless the exporter meets conditions set by the federal government.

The Emanuel Exports ship will be blocked from leaving Fremantle port for the Middle East on Monday unless the conditions are met.

The Australian reports Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Narelle Clegg wrote to the company’s manager Nicholas Daws on Thursday advising him of the conditions.

She reportedly said new information about voyages by the company in 2017 showed “a large number of sheep were suffering from heat stress”, while some animals had no access to food or water.

Sick and injured animals were reportedly not given treatment and pens were overcrowded. The footage is set to air on 60 Minutes this weekend.

It comes after federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud launched an investigation into the deaths of thousands of livestock on a ship to the Middle East last year that was exposed in footage obtained by Animals Australia.

Mr Littleproud said what occurred was just “total bullsh*t” and “disgusting” and has asked for the shipping company’s practices on the August 2017 export to be thoroughly examined.

Today, the Minister’s office confirmed to News Corp a shipment of 65,000 sheep would be blocked from leaving Australia unless the exporter met strict conditions set by the Agriculture Department.

They include reducing stocking density by 15 per cent, providing daily reports to the Department with photos of conditions, and allowing the presence of an independent observer on board the ship.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has launched an investigation into the deaths of thousands of livestock on a ship to the Middle East. Picture: AAP

Yesterday, Mr Littleproud said 2400 sheep on board the ship from Perth to the Middle East died last year because of a heat event, despite a vet being on-board.

A report was submitted by the shipping company last Thursday and the minister requested further information when he saw the fatality rate and research about “high heat mortalities”.

However, on Wednesday, footage taken during the export of the sheep was supplied to his office.

These included two four-minute videos which depicted dead and decaying sheep, he said.

“There was an unacceptable fatality rate because of a heat event. I asked for further information. I also wrote to the live export industry,” Mr Littleproud said.

“I saw footage provided to me by Animals Australia which is very disturbing. I am shocked and gutted. This is the livelihood of Australian farmers that are on that ship.”

“This is their pride and joy and this is total bullshit that what I saw has taken place,” he added.

He thanked Animals Australia for acting as a whistle blower.

Mr Littleproud said the sheep deaths were “disturbing”.

Mr Littleproud promised to take strong action against those who have not fulfilled their responsibilities, whether they be the exporter, the regulator or staff on ships.

“I support the farmers who rely on live export and the exporters who do the right thing. We need this trade for our farmers,” he said.

“Farmers care for their animals and they’ll be angry and hurt when they see this footage.” The Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council says the footage is “highly distressing”.

“These deaths and the conditions in which they occurred are plainly unacceptable,” chief executive Simon Westaway said.