Update 9 April 2024
The livestock vessel MV Bahijah has arrived safely in Israel after its consignment was exported from Australia on 3 March 2024.
Mortalities onboard the vessel did not exceed the notifiable limit of 0.5% for cattle and 1% for sheep.
The remaining livestock have been successfully unloaded and are reported to be in good health.
Update 1 March 2024
The department has approved a notice of intention to export a consignment of livestock to Israel on the MV Bahijah.
The decision was made in accordance with the requirements of the Export Control Act 2020.
The exporter intends to transport the livestock to Israel without passing through the Red Sea.
All consignments of livestock exported from Australia are subject to inspection by departmental veterinarians to ensure they are fit for export and meet all importing country requirements.
Update 14 February 2024
All livestock from the MV Bahijah have been discharged and taken by truck from Fremantle Port to appropriate premises in Western Australia.
Since 5 January 2024, total mortalities stand at 4 (0.18%) cattle and 64 (0.45%) sheep on board the MV Bahijah, which are below the reportable mortality levels, and 7 cattle and 6 sheep on land.
The next steps for the livestock are a commercial decision for the exporter.
For a detailed explanation of the decision to refuse to approve the Notice of Intention by the regulator on 5 February 2024 visit our website.
To understand the department’s important regulatory role in the export of live animals, visit our website.
Update 12 February 2024
All livestock from the vessel MV Bahijah will be discharged commencing from Monday 12 February 2024 and taken by truck from Fremantle Port to appropriate premises in Western Australia.
Several hundred head of cattle were previously discharged from the vessel on 3 February 2024.
While the livestock currently aboard the vessel are high-quality Australian animals, they will remain under strict biosecurity control at appropriate premises while the exporter considers its options.
Disembarkation is a complex process. It is anticipated the discharge will take a number of days and all parties involved, including the department, Western Australian government, exporter, transport companies and appropriate premises continue to work collaboratively to ensure the health and safety of the livestock and staff.
The department will have veterinary officers and biosecurity officers on hand to ensure biosecurity requirements are met.
The department continues to receive daily updates from the veterinarian aboard the vessel and the livestock remain in good condition.
As of this morning, since 5 January, total mortalities on the vessel currently stand at 4 cattle and 60 sheep, below reportable mortality levels.
For a detailed explanation of the decision to refuse the Notice of Intention by the regulator visit our website.
To understand the department’s important regulatory role in the export of live animals, visit our website.
Update 9 February 2024
On 5 February 2024, the department refused a Notice of Intention to export given by the exporter in relation to a consignment of sheep and cattle onboard MV Bahijah.
Reflecting the clear public interest in this issue, the department has now published the reasons for this decision to clarify the circumstances, underlying reasons, and transparency over the decision-making process.
The decision was made to refuse the exporter’s Notice of Intention to re-export as the decision maker was not satisfied that all the requirements in subsection 8-6(3) of the Export Control Rules 2021 were met.
The next steps for the livestock aboard the MV Bahijah are now a commercial decision for the exporter.
The department is working closely with the exporter to support this planning and continues to receive daily reports on the welfare of the livestock aboard the vessel and they remain in good health.
The public statement of reasons can be found here.
Update 8 February 2024
On 5 February 2024, the department refused a Notice of Intention to export given by the exporter in relation to a consignment of sheep and cattle onboard MV Bahijah.
Following this decision, the exporter is working to offload all livestock from the vessel.
The department is engaging actively with the exporter, as well as relevant Western Australia government agencies, in relation to the arrangements that will be needed to support this.
Any offloading of livestock will be undertaken under strict biosecurity protocols and with regard to animal welfare.
The department will continue to support the exporter as they consider options for the livestock once they have been unloaded.
Update 5 February 2024
The application submitted on 26 January 2024 for the re-export of livestock onboard the MV Bahijah to Israel via the Cape of Good Hope has not been approved by my department.
The departmental regulator was unable to be satisfied, in accordance with subsection 8-6(3) of the Export Control (Animals) Rules 2021 (Rules), that:
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- the requirements of the Export Control Act 2020 (Act) in relation to the export of livestock have been complied with, or will be complied with before the livestock are imported into the importing country, and
- the importing country requirements relating to the livestock have been met, or will be met before the livestock are imported into the importing country, and
- the arrangements for the transport of the livestock to their final overseas destination are appropriate to ensure their health and welfare.
In making this decision the regulator has considered all relevant information from a variety of sources. This decision-making required thorough and detailed engagement with the legislative scheme and consideration of all available evidence and submissions, in real time as this complex situation evolved.
The department will publish more information on the reasons for the decision as soon as practicable.
Separately, and in response to next steps, the department is continuing to work with relevant stakeholders to manage the health and welfare of the livestock and uphold Australia’s biosecurity.
Throughout this whole process, Australia’s biosecurity, and the health and welfare of the animals onboard, have remained the Department’s highest priorities.
Applications to export live animals undergo complex assessments that balance Australian biosecurity, export legislation, animal welfare considerations and the requirements of our international trading partners.
The livestock on the vessel continue to be in good health and they remain under veterinary care and supervision. There is no suspicion of exotic pests or diseases within the livestock.
The next steps for the livestock onboard the vessel are commercial decisions for the exporter to make. A range of options remain available to the exporter, and the department stands ready to assess any future application submitted by the exporter.
Now that the regulatory decision has been made, my department supports a resolution to this matter as quickly as possible and stands ready to respond to any further requests from the commercial exporter.
Secretary Adam Fennessy’s address to media 2pm, 4 February 2024: MV Bahijah
4 February 2024, 4:00pm
Good afternoon everyone, thank you for coming.
I’ve invited you here today to give you an update on the welfare of the livestock on board the MV Bahijah that is currently off the coast of Fremantle, Western Australia. I will update you on those animals that disembarked the vessel on Friday, and I will invite any additional questions from you on the issue.
I am pleased to advise that daily reports from the veterinarian on board the vessel continue to indicate there are no significant health or welfare concerns with the livestock that remain on board the vessel.
In respect of the livestock that were successfully discharged from the vessel on Friday night at the request of the exporter, these animals are being held under strict biosecurity controls at appropriate premises. Veterinarians visited the livestock yesterday and the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson, is in regular contact with the Western Australian Chief Veterinary Officer in respect of the livestock.
At this time no final decision has been made by my department officials with respect to the livestock on the MV Bahijah. The department continues to assess the application to re-export the livestock provided by the exporter as a matter of priority. I want to emphasise that my department makes decisions on the basis of the application of the commercial exporter, taking into account all legislative requirements and relevant information.
We understand the strong interest in the issue – both from a biosecurity and from an animal health and welfare perspective. My department must make complex decisions for this unique situation that balance export legislation, biosecurity requirements, animal welfare considerations and the requirements of our international trading partners.
Right now, the ship is currently off the West Australian coast and is undertaking some routine cleaning. It is adequately provisioned for the livestock on board.
We have been asked about why the decision is taking so long?
The legislation that our department is responsible for is very clear as to what the decision maker must consider and the process by which it must be considered.
The legislation sets out what the decision-maker must consider and be satisfied of in order to approve an application for export, including:
- The legislative requirements have been met, including those in the Export Control Act and Animals Rules.
- That importing country requirements have been or will be met before the livestock are imported into the importing country, for example, if an import permit is required and has or will be been obtained.
- Arrangements for the voyage are appropriate to ensure the health and welfare of the livestock.
The process for making the decision requires the decision-maker to:
- Carefully consider all relevant information to the decision, which can involve substantial amounts of information from a variety of sources and must be updated as circumstances change, especially information submitted to us by the commercial exporter.
- Provide the commercial exporter with procedural fairness, including giving the exporter time to consider and respond to certain types of information.
- Ensure that the department’s decision maker has satisfied any procedural and other requirements in the legislation in order to make a lawful decision, such as providing a notice of decision in writing.
There’s been a report that the animals that have been unloaded will be processed in Victoria – is this correct?
No, we have no information to support that proposition at this time. Any movement of the animals on Australian soil will be subject to appropriate biosecurity requirements to safeguard Australia’s biosecurity.
Update 3 February 2024
3 February 2024, 7:00 pm
Today, as a further measure for the comfort of the livestock onboard, and to maintain high levels of animal welfare, the vessel has left port. This will enable routine cleaning which include replacing the livestock bedding.
The exporter’s registered veterinarian remains on board the vessel and will continue to report back to the department daily on the health and welfare of the livestock.
The department continues to assess the application to re-export the livestock provided by the exporter. Once the decision has been made the department will issue a public statement with the outcome as soon as possible.*
Further information will be published as it becomes available.
General enquiries to the department can be made on 1800 900 090.
*Further update
Update 3 February 2024
3 February 2024, 2:00 pm
Last night, several hundred head of healthy cattle were successfully unloaded from the MV Bahijah at the request of the exporter.
Department officials were present to ensure all biosecurity protocols were met. The cattle appear healthy and well.
The cattle have been moved to appropriate premises where they are quarantining safely. There were no animal welfare issues associated with this unloading.
This action is separate to the potential re-export of the remaining animals on the vessel. The department’s decision maker is still considering the application.
Further information will be published as it becomes available.
General enquiries to the department can be made on 1800 900 090.
Update 2 February 2024
2 February 2024, 10:00 pm
The exporter has requested permission to unload several hundred healthy cattle from the MV Bahijah.
The department has agreed for the animals to be unloaded under strict biosecurity measures.
This action is unrelated to the potential re-export of the remaining animals on the vessel. The department’s decision maker is still considering the application.
Further information will be published as it becomes available.
Secretary Adam Fennessy’s address to media 3pm, 2 February 2024: MV Bahijah
2 February 2024, 4:25 pm
Good afternoon everyone, thank you for coming. I am Adam Fennessy, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
I recognise the strong public interest in this issue, and I’d like to reassure everyone that we are working towards a resolution as quickly as possible.
There should be no doubt that Australia’s biosecurity and the health and welfare of the livestock onboard are our highest priorities.
After standing offshore yesterday evening and replacing the animal bedding, the vessel has returned to port and is berthed in Fremantle.
The vessel is taking on further provisions today, including additional fodder and fuel.
The exporter’s registered veterinarian remains on board and continues to report daily on the health and welfare of the livestock.
My department continues to assess the application to re-export the livestock provided by the exporter.
I’d like to provide some information on the process. The decision maker has an obligation to consider all relevant information, from a range of sources, on complex issues relating to:
- export legislation
- animal welfare considerations and
- the requirements of our international trading partners.
It is a complex process, and this is a unique situation.
We are doing everything we can to resolve the situation and we will continue to release information and respond to inquiries until that time.
Update 1 February 2024
1 February 2024, 7.30pm AEDT
The department continues to work closely with the exporter to determine the next steps for the animals on board the MV Bahijah and reach a resolution as quickly as possible.
Australia’s biosecurity, and the health and welfare of the animals onboard, are our highest priorities.
Today, the vessel resupplied essential provisions.
As a further measure to improve the comfort of the livestock onboard, and maintain high levels of animal welfare, the vessel is going through routine cleaning this evening.
The vessel has left port to stand offshore while it performs routine cleaning* and replacing the animal bedding.
The exporter’s registered veterinarian remains on board the vessel and will continue to report back to the department daily on the health and welfare of the livestock.
The department continues to assess the application to re-export the livestock provided by the exporter.
These are complex assessments that must balance Australian biosecurity, export legislation, animal welfare considerations and the requirements of our international trading partners.
Further information will be published as it becomes available.
Quotes attributable to Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson:
“It was good to see that the MV Bahijah was able to resupply essential provisions today. This is an appropriate and prudent measure to continue to maintain the welfare standard for the livestock onboard,” Dr Cookson said.
“It is also good practice that the vessel continues to perform its routine cleaning, as it is this evening, to wash decks and provide dry and insulating bedding material for the animals.”
*Correction: The information has been rectified for accuracy. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Update, 1 February 2024
1 February 2024, 12:30pm AEDT
The department continues to work closely with the exporter to determine the next steps for the livestock on board the MV Bahijah and reach a resolution as quickly as possible.
On 31 January, two veterinarians engaged by the Department boarded the vessel to provide additional assurance on the health and welfare of the livestock on board.
The report from those veterinarians indicates no signs of significant health, welfare or environmental condition concerns with the livestock on board, consistent with all reports received to date.
The exporter’s registered veterinarian also remains on board the vessel and continues to report back to the department daily.
Contrary to some public reports, no livestock are required to be offloaded for health reasons.
The MV Bahijah berthed at Fremantle Port on 1 February and is currently being replenished with supplies to ensure the ongoing health and welfare of the livestock is upheld. No animals are currently being unloaded.
The department continues to assess the application to re-export the livestock provided by the exporter as a matter of priority.
Further updates will be provided as they become available.
Quotes attributable to Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson:
“The two veterinarians engaged by the Department inspected the livestock late yesterday,” Dr Cookson said.
“While I have only seen a preliminary report, there were no significant animal health or welfare issues identified.
“That provides additional confidence that the livestock are in good condition and have appropriate care and supervision.
“It also confirmed that there were no signs of exotic disease present in the livestock on board the vessel.
“Engagement with stakeholders has been very constructive to date and we would like to thank all parties for their ongoing efforts and collaboration.”
Update, 31 January 2024
31 January 2024, 9:00pm AEDT
The department continues to work closely with the exporter to determine the next steps for the livestock on board the MV Bahijah and reach a resolution as quickly as possible.
Australia’s biosecurity, and the health and welfare of the livestock onboard, are our highest priorities.
The department met with the Inspector-General of Live Animal Exports* and other relevant entities to provide an update on the situation today.
The latest reports from the veterinarian on board the vessel suggest the livestock remain in good health and there is no evidence of any significant health, welfare or environmental concerns.
Two independent veterinarians today visited the vessel to inspect the livestock and facilities. The department will review their findings and consider next steps.
The department continues to assess the application to re-export the livestock provided by the exporter.
These are complex assessments that must balance Australian biosecurity, export legislation, animal welfare considerations and the requirements of our international trading partners.
Further information will be published as decisions are reached.
Quotes attributable to Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson:
“People can have confidence we are focussed on achieving an optimal outcome for the health and wellbeing of the livestock on board, while at the same time preserving Australia’s pristine biosecurity status,” Dr Cookson said.
“There is an intensive effort occurring across a range of expert and regulatory areas within the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
“Those involved in Government and industry are very conscious of the need to move quickly while working through these arrangements.
“The exporter’s registered veterinarian is on board the vessel and is recording details of the health and welfare of the livestock. While we have found those reports are encouraging, the department has also engaged veterinarians to travel to the vessel and review conditions on board for additional due diligence.”
* Correction: In a previous version of this update there was an error in the attribution of an individual's title. The information has been rectified for accuracy. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Update, 31 January 2024
31 January 2024, 11:00am AEDT
The department is working closely with the exporter, the live export industry, and state and federal government agencies to ensure the return to Australia of the MV Bahijah vessel is managed with the highest standards of biosecurity and animal welfare maintained.
The exporter’s registered veterinarian on board the vessel is recording details of the health and welfare of the livestock each day and this information is being provided to the department.
All reports to date indicate that there are no signs of any significant health or welfare concerns with the livestock on board.
The department is currently assessing the feasibility of an additional independent veterinarian attending the vessel to provide further assurance.
This morning, the exporter provided supporting information to the department to support their application to unload some animals in Australia prior to re-exporting the remaining animals on board the vessel.
The department is assessing this application as a priority, including working closely with our trading partners to ensure any decision to re-export the animals would be supported by the intended market.
These are high quality Australian animals; however, they would be subject to strict biosecurity controls while in Australia.
Ultimately, all plans are commercial decisions for the exporter that must be assessed by the department as the regulator.
These are complex decisions that must balance Australian biosecurity, export legislation, animal welfare considerations and the requirements of our international trading partners.
Further information will be published as decisions are reached.
Update, 29 January 2024
29 January 2024, 3:58pm AEDT
After considering information provided by the exporter, a decision was made on 19 January 2024 to direct the consignment of livestock on board the MV Bahijah be immediately returned to Australia*.
This was in recognition of the exceptional circumstances and taking into account animal welfare considerations.
The department has been working closely with the exporter to determine next steps for the consignment once it returned to Australian waters.
These are high quality Australian animals; however, they would be subject to strict biosecurity controls while in Australia.
Protecting Australia’s strong biosecurity system and the welfare of the livestock on board remain the department’s top priorities.
The department has been working with the exporter to determine the options available to them, consistent with legislative and regulatory responsibilities and taking into account the unique circumstances of the vessel.
It is not appropriate for the department to comment publicly on these assessments until they are completed.
Further updates will be provided as they become available.
*Correction: The information has been rectified for accuracy. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Update, 20 January 2024
20 January 2024, 3.00pm AEDT
To ensure the health and welfare of the livestock on the MV Bahijah, the department directed the exporter that the consignment be immediately returned to Australia.
In making this decision the department considered the biosecurity risks associated with the livestock and the vessel and has not identified any basis on which these could not be managed within Australian territory.
The welfare of the livestock and protecting Australia’s biosecurity remain the department’s top priorities.
MV Bahijah livestock export to the Middle East
19 January 2024, 4:51pm AEDT
The Australian Government is closely monitoring the passage of a live export vessel that was destined for the Middle East but which has diverted from the Red Sea.
The health and welfare of the animals onboard remains a top priority.
The MV Bahijah loaded cattle and sheep in Fremantle, Western Australia and departed for the Middle East on 5 January 2024.
At the time of departure on 5 January, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry was satisfied that the arrangements for the transport of the livestock were appropriate to ensure their health and welfare.
As a condition of departure, the exporter was required to lodge contingency arrangements should the vessel not be able to reach the proposed destination in the Middle East.
The exporter also loaded additional fodder and veterinary supplies above those required by Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock for the proposed voyage.
A registered veterinarian and an accredited stockperson are on board the vessel, accompanying the consignment to attend to the health and welfare of the livestock.
Under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and the International Safety Management Code, the Master of the vessel has overriding authority and responsibility to make decisions with respect to the safety of the vessel.
The vessel has diverted away from the Red Sea due to the worsening security situation.
A range of contingency options remain open to the exporter, which will be reviewed by the department as they are submitted.
The department is monitoring the consignment closely and no significant animal health or welfare concerns have been reported at this time.
The department will continue to consider future consignments on a case by case basis.
