Cattle and sheep exported to the Middle East in November 2022
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Report 227: Independent Observer summary report on MV Al Kuwait in November 2022 (PDF 783 KB)
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Livestock: 54,662 sheep and 304 cattle.
Vessel: MV Al Kuwait.
Loading location and date: Fremantle, from 4 November to 6 November 2022
Vessel departure location and date: Fremantle, 6 November 2022.
Discharge location and dates:
- Shuwaikh, Kuwait, from 19 November to 21 November 2022.
- Hamad, Qatar, from 22 November to 23 November 2022.
- Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, from 24 November to 25 November 2022.
- Muscat, Oman, 26 November 2022.
Voyage length: 22 days.
Independent Observer (observer): Boarded at Fremantle and remained onboard until completion of discharge.
Voyage mortality rate: 0.23% (123 mortalities) for sheep. These mortalities are unlikely to be linked to any systemic failure by the exporter. There were no mortalities for cattle.
Notifiable mortality rate: 1% for sheep, 0.5% for cattle.
This report summarises key observations of the implementation and effectiveness of exporter arrangements to ensure the health and welfare of livestock. The report has been approved by the observer who accompanied the voyage.
Exporter documentation
Relevant exporter documentation was made available to the observer. The observer reported no issues regarding exporter documentation.
Loading
Based on observations made during this voyage, the exporter arrangements during loading were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.
Personnel
Based on observations made during this voyage, the exporter arrangements relating to personnel were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.
Daily routine
Based on observations made during this voyage, the exporter arrangements relating to daily routine were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.
Feed and water
Based on observations made during this voyage, the exporter arrangements relating to feed and water were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.
Ventilation
Based on observations made during this voyage, the exporter arrangements relating to ventilation were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.
Pen conditions
The observer noted that:
- A gate between two cattle pens was removed to allow more space for the cattle. It was noted that this led to two hinges being exposed on the inside part of the gate. The observer did not note any injuries arising from the gate being removed.
Health and welfare
No systemic issues observed.
The observer noted that:
- A total of 123 sheep mortalities occurred on this voyage.
- Post mortems were performed by the AAV on 86 of the mortalities, with the main causes identified as respiratory disease, lameness and gut issues. The AAV reported that post mortems were unable to be performed on 34 sheep due to proximity to shore or ports, and as 2 were autolysed. One sheep was euthanased due to a fractured limb.
- During the voyage, the AAV reported 92 treatments of sheep and 0 treatments of cattle. Conditions treated for included lameness, eye disease, inanition, and rectal prolapse.
Discharge
No issues observed.
No adverse animal health and welfare outcomes arising from exporter arrangements were observed. No regulatory action was taken.