Government rejects application to re-export sheep via the Cape of Good Hope

Up to 15,000 sheep aboard a ship that has been in limbo off the WA coast will need to be unloaded and processed domestically after the federal government rejected a bid to send them to Israel.

The MV Bahijah has been anchored off Perth's coast for a week. Picture: ABC News

Up to 15,000 sheep aboard a live export ship that has been in limbo off the Western Australian coast will need to be unloaded and processed domestically after the federal government rejected a bid to send them to Israel via southern Africa.

The Israeli exporter’s proposed re-routing of the MV Bahijah came after it was ordered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to turn back to Australia after the vessel deviated from its course in response to Houthi rebel attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea.

It spent a week anchored off Perth while the department considered the application by Bassem Dabbah to offload some sheep and re-export the remainder for the longer journey via the Cape of Good Hope, which would have taken about 60 days.

The department said on Monday night that the application had been rejected because the regulator was “unable to be satisfied” that the exporter’s proposal met the conditions required under the Export Control Act.

Specifically, the regulator raised concerns that the importing country’s requirements had not been or would not be met and that the transport arrangements were not appropriate to ensure the welfare of animals on-board.

The department said it would provide more information on the reasons for rejecting the application “as soon as practicable”.

“Separately, and in response to next steps, the department is continuing to work with relevant stakeholders to manage the health and welfare of the livestock and uphold Australia’s biosecurity,” DAFF secretary Adam Fennessy said in a statement.

“Throughout this whole process, Australia’s biosecurity, and the health and welfare of the animals on-board, have remained the department’s highest priorities. Applications to export live animals undergo complex assessments that balance Australian biosecurity, export legislation, animal welfare considerations and the requirements of our international trading partners.”

The MV Bahijah left Fremantle on January 5, but returned to the coast off Perth on January 29.

Veterinarians have reported the estimated 15,000 sheep and 2500 cattle on-board as being in good health and that there were no suspicions of exotic pests or diseases within the livestock.

The exporter could now appeal the decision, resubmit another application for export or unload stock in Australia.

Sheep aboard the MV Bahijah. Picture: X

“The next steps for the livestock on-board the vessel are commercial decisions for the exporter to make,” Mr Fennessy said. “A range of options remain available to the exporter, and the department stands ready to assess any future application submitted by the exporter.”

The saga has caused frustration in the livestock exporting industry. Australia Livestock Exporters’ Council chief executive ­officer Mark Harvey-Sutton condemned the politicisation of the issue, particularly by animal welfare activists.