Report 233: MV Al Kuwait - Cattle and sheep exported to United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Oman in February 2023

Livestock: 50 cattle and 50,257 sheep

Vessel: MV Al Kuwait

Loading location and date: Fremantle, 28 February 2023

Vessel departure date: 2 March 2023

Discharge location and dates:

• Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates (UAE): 15 to 16 March 2023
• Kuwait, Kuwait: 18 to 19 March 2023
• Muscat, Oman: 25 March 2023

Voyage length: 26 days

Independent Observer (observer): Boarded at Fremantle and remained onboard until completion of discharge.

Voyage mortality rate: 0.22% (109 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 required to trigger a mortality investigation: 0.5% for cattle, 1% for sheep.

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 for the voyage 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 relating to 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 the daily routine were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.

Feed and water

1. The AAV reported two sheep mortalities due to misadventure from becoming stuck in a space around feed troughs. One other sheep was seen by the observer with its head caught around the fodder trough momentarily, however it was able to release itself without intervention by crew.
   1. The observer commented that the AAV and crew performed targeted monitoring of smaller lambs throughout the voyage to prevent any sheep becoming stuck.
   2. Based on observations made during this voyage, the exporter arrangements managed this issue, and the mortalities were not linked to any systemic failure by the exporter.
2. Other than the above issue, 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

Based on observations made during this voyage, the exporter arrangements relating to pen conditions were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.

Health and welfare

The AAV reported that:

1. A total of 109 sheep mortalities occurred on this voyage. 37 sheep were euthanised, most for gastrointestinal issues and some for respiratory disease, musculoskeletal issues or wounds. Post-mortems were performed by the AAV on 30 of the mortalities, with most identified as due to inanition. The AAV reported that the remaining mortalities did not have post-mortems conducted as the cause of death was obvious, the vessel was too close to port or the body was too decomposed.
2. During the voyage, there were 20 treatments of sheep and 0 treatments of cattle. Conditions treated for included lameness and eye disease.

Discharge

Based on observations made during this voyage, the exporter arrangements relating to discharge were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.

No adverse animal health and welfare outcomes arising from exporter arrangements were observed, and no regulatory action was taken for this voyage.