Cattle exported to China in January 2024
August 2024
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Report 243: Independent Observer summary report on MV Ocean Swagman in January 2024 (PDF 459 KB)
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Livestock: 7,244 cattle
Vessel: MV Ocean Swagman
Loading location: Portland
Discharge location: Huanghua, China
Voyage length: 23 days
Independent Observer: Boarded at Portland and remained onboard until completion of discharge.
Voyage mortality rate: 0.17% (12 mortalities). These mortalities are unlikely to be linked to any systemic failure by the exporter
Notifiable mortality rate: 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
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 daily routine were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.
Feed and water
The observer noted that on days 21, 22 and 23 of the voyage, only cattle in hospital pens were fed chaff and the remaining cattle were not. The Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) requires that at least 1% of the required daily feed is chaff or hay. No adverse effects on animal health and welfare were observed as a result of chaff not being fed.
Ventilation and voyage conditions
On a previous voyage on the MV Ocean Swagman, the observer noted that animals penned close to engine rooms had shown signs of panting or mild heat stress. For this voyage, the observer monitored cattle in the known hot spots and did not identify any health or welfare impacts.
On day 22 of the voyage, the observer recorded a minimum dry bulb temperature of -0.7°C next to the loading ramp on Deck 5. No adverse effects on animal health and welfare were observed as a result of the temperatures throughout the voyage.
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
No systemic issues observed.
Discharge
Based on observations made during this voyage, the exporter arrangements relating to discharge were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.