Ship Transporting 16,000 Livestock Stranded Off The Coast Of Australia

A ship transporting about 14,000 sheep and 2,000 cattle has been stranded off the coast of Australia, raising concerns for the animal’s safety. The Houthi group in Yemen threatened to attack the MV Bahijah, which was travelling from Australia to Israel when it changed its itinerary in the middle of January. The Australian government has ordered the vessel to return after it was forced to abort its initial route via the Red Sea and is currently stranded.

The animals may travel across Africa for a month to reach Israel or be placed in quarantine in Australia, where biosecurity regulations are in place. The incident serves as a reminder of the broader disruption of international trade caused by militia attacks on Red Sea maritime routes. It also highlights possible threats to Australia’s live animal export sector, a significant player in the international market.

Animal welfare activists are furious, especially regarding the high temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius, even if industry representatives claim that the animals are in good health. A member of parliament named Josh Wilson criticises the live export industry, calling it “rotten to its core” and raising concerns about the consistency of Australian rules for animal care.

Video Credits: Australian Community Media/YouTube

Currently at the centre of a complicated situation, the ship is managed by Korkyra Shipping and controlled by the Israeli company Bassem Dabbah Ltd. The exporter has applied to the Australian government for authorisation to load more cargo and sail to Israel through Africa. Concerns are also raised by the ship’s return regarding the effects on Australia’s live animal export sector, which shipped more than 500,000 sheep and cattle the year before.

The scenario worsens as the MV Bahijah, carrying thousands of animals, gets closer to Western Australia. The Federal Department of Agriculture demanded that the ship return after the export company diverted its ship from the Red Sea, citing security concerns. While acknowledging that the animals should be healthy, Premier Roger Cook stresses the importance of stringent biosecurity procedures after docking.

After spending weeks at sea, animal welfare organisations, such as the RSPCA, are worried about the livestock’s health because they fear illnesses like pneumonia or pink eye. The group emphasises the need for openness in the Department of Agriculture’s preparations for the trapped animals and requests for an end to live exports to the area because of the unstable security situation.

Industry advocates suggest keeping the animals on board for re-exportation to avoid the requirement for quarantine despite possible biosecurity risk factors. The difficult choice is determining whether it would be feasible to travel for a more extended period or to slaughter animals on land following biosecurity regulations. While the government remains focused on animal welfare, the industry faces criticism for prioritising profits over the well-being of the stranded animals.

The fate of thousands of animals trapped on the ship is still unknown as the scenario develops and temperatures are predicted to rise amid a heatwave. The incident raises questions about the sustainability of the live animal export business and its commitment to moral principles amid difficult geopolitical conditions.

Reference: BNN Bloomberg, 9news

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