Awassi Express cleared for return to live sheep exports

THE ship that sparked calls for a ban on live exports to the Middle East looks set to embark on its next voyage within days after complying with a ventilation improvement order.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority imposed the order on Emanuel Exports’ Awassi Express after footage of 2400 sheep dying in filth and extreme heat on an August journey was broadcast earlier this month.

AMSA would not renew the ship’s livestock carriage certificate until third-party ventilation testing demonstrated the vessel complied with existing requirements for minimum airflow across pens.

On Tuesday, AMSA confirmed the order had been met and said the operator had also installed an automatic watering system to keep troughs filled.

The operator must now lodge an export permit application with the federal Department of Agriculture and formally commit to additional conditions that have been imposed.

These include a 17.5 per cent reduction in sheep numbers and the presence of a federal government observer who will send back daily videos, which the company has already verbally agreed to.

If the department is satisfied, livestock will be loaded onto the ship later this week.

The footage prompted federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud to launch a “short, sharp” review of the summer live export trade to the Middle East by vet Michael McCarthy, who Animals Australia says lacks independence as he is a long- term contractor to the industry.

Acting Labor leader Tanya Plibersek urged the federal government to consider a suspension in the trade while the review is completed, as called for by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten last week.

Ms Plibersek also said the Abbott government was wrong in 2013 to scrap Labor’s plan to establish an Inspector General of Animal Welfare.

WA Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan, who wanted a summer ban, told 6PR radio it was “highly unlikely” any work would have been ordered on the Awassi Express if the footage had not been aired.

“I think this really supports our proposition that the industry has not been operating up to standard and with this exposure, they are now being made to,“ she said.

Pastoralists and Graziers Association president Tony Seabrook said Ms MacTiernan had an avowed policy to abolish the industry and accused her of “whipping up“ the furore.

Mr Littleproud is also investigating his own department, which reviewed the deaths but found no breaches of export regulations.

After the footage was broadcast, the department described the conditions as “deplorable and unacceptable”.

“It’s important for me to investigate the independent regulator to make sure they have the tools, they have the skills and they also have the culture in which to bring the industry to heel,” Mr Littleproud said.

Federal Liberal MP Sussan Ley didn’t change her mind about wanting to end long haul live exports altogether after discussions with farming groups on Monday.