February 1, 2024

Fate of livestock aboard stranded ship off Australia's coast raises concerns

The MV Bahijah, carrying thousands of cattle and sheep, remains in limbo off the coast of Western Australia, 24 days after its departure, raising questions about the fate of the livestock, Australia Broadcasting Corporation News reported.

The vessel was ordered back to Australia due to security concerns in the Red Sea amid a deteriorating situation in the Middle East. Operated by Israeli-based Bassem Dabbah Ltd, the ship faces biosecurity issues as the livestock cannot be reintroduced to an Australian herd. The industry's proposal is to keep the animals on the ship and re-export them to the same market, taking a longer route around Africa.

The MV Bahijah left Fremantle port on January 5, 2024, bound for Jordan, but was ordered back 15 days into the voyage. Now, sitting off the coast of WA, the health of the animals and the biosecurity risks are a primary concern. Deaths above 0.5% of the total livestock are considered "reportable" under department rules.

The preferred plan is for the animals to remain on the ship and be re-exported to the same market, circumventing the Red Sea, where security concerns persist. The regulator needs to approve this 33-day voyage.

The RSPCA advocates for the animals' removal from the ship, expressing concerns about the conditions once it berths and the potential suffering during another live export journey. It calls for transparency from the Department of Agriculture regarding plans for the animals.

The livestock export industry insists that biosecurity risks are manageable, with contingency plans in place for the welfare of the animals. While the situation is not unprecedented, the extended duration without docking in any other port presents unique challenges.

-        Australia Broadcasting Corporation News