Live export rivals ready to step in after second licence cancelled

Live sheep exporters in WA are ready to fill the gap after the nation’s biggest ­exporter of live sheep lost its second licence.

Live animal ship exporter Awassi Express docked at Fremantle. Picture: Colin Murty

Live sheep exporters in Western Australia are ready to fill the gap after the nation’s biggest ­exporter of live sheep lost its second licence.

Perth-based Emanuel Exports lost its second licence following the disastrous Awassi Express shipment to the Middle East in which 3000 sheep died. The Department of Agriculture said it had cancelled the licence of EMS Rural Exports, a wholly owned subsidiary of Emanuel Exports. Emanuel’s own export licence was cancelled on August 21.

“Cancellation of a licence is a serious step that is only taken in the best interests of the industry and for the protection of Australia’s high standards on animal welfare,” the department said yesterday.

Emanuel Exports director Nicholas Daws confirmed that he had received notice of the second cancellation. He said he would not comment further because Emanuel would appeal both decisions to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

The family-owned business has operated out of Fremantle port for 60 years. “They feel they have strong grounds to continue to hold a licence and they fully intend to get back in live ­exports,” a spokesman said.

He declined to comment on whether Emanuel, whose sole business is live export to the Middle East, can continue to operate under current conditions.

Opponents of live exports had hoped the cancellations might signal the end of the trade but the Department of Agriculture yesterday asked for other potential exporters to the Middle East to apply for licences.

National Farmers Federation WA spokesman Tony York said he knew of two companies planning to apply for new live export licences.