Following a thwarted attempt two months ago, approximately 14,500 Australian livestock embarked on their journey from Australia to Israel on Sunday. The initial voyage, which began on January 5 from Fremantle port in Perth, was disrupted halfway due to the threat of attack by Houthi militants in the Red Sea, prompting the Australian government to order the ship’s return.
Challenges Faced on the First Voyage
The livestock, comprising around 14,000 sheep and 500 cattle, faced considerable challenges during their first attempt. Houthi strikes in support of Hamas militants in Palestine led to disruptions in shipping routes, forcing vessels to take longer and more expensive journeys around southern Africa.
After weeks of uncertainty aboard the MV Bahijah and subsequent quarantine on land in compliance with Australia’s biosecurity laws, the livestock have been loaded once again onto the same ship. Geoff Pearson, head of livestock at WAFarmers, confirmed the departure from Fremantle on Sunday.
Controversy and Government Response
The treatment of the animals during the initial voyage stirred controversy, with activists and some politicians labeling it as torture. Calls for an end to the live sheep trade were met with opposition from the government and industry, asserting that the livestock were in good condition and health.
Mid-February reports from the agriculture ministry indicated that four cattle and 64 sheep had died during the initial journey but asserted that these numbers were below reportable mortality levels.
Future Shipments and Government Approval
Geoff Pearson mentioned that the remaining cattle would be exported on other ships in the coming weeks. The agriculture ministry confirmed the approval of the shipment, stating, “The exporter intends to transport the livestock to Israel without passing through the Red Sea.”
The second attempt to transport these livestock underscores the resilience of the industry amid geopolitical challenges, and AgricultureNewsNetwork will continue to monitor developments in this regard.
