Stop Tasmanian Animal Cruelty

Live Animal Export

Live Exports

The live export trade is alive and well in Tasmania. The principal live export agent is Roberts Limited (Ruralco), and they, Elders and Landmark have been advertising in TasCountry for animals who are shipped to Victoria and exported out of Portland. This is in the wake of a storm of protest at the loading of the aging “Al Messilah” in Devonport in February 2006. Shipments to Victoria are virtually impossible to track.

We wrote a submission for the AMIEU (Australasian Meat Industry Employees' Union) to take to the National ALP Conference

Read the submission here

Links AMIEU Report

In recent years, Roberts has exported sheep from Devonport. The last shipment, in February 2006, was on the 27 year old “Al Messilah” amid a storm of protest.

The “Al Messilah” with “Death Ship” painted on the hull

 

A photo from the loading of the “Al Messilah” when animal activists were being assured that
“all animal welfare requirements were met. We also have vision of ramps being of
inappropriate height and construction, forcing the sheep to jump, and of a sheep being kicked.

Read about the “Al Messilah” here
Read about other live export ships here

The “Al Messilah” voyage was a “reportable voyage” after 1,632 of the 71,308 sheep loaded died on board the ship. “Reportable Voyages” are those on which more than 2% of sheep and 1%, or 2% of cattle (depending on the length of the voyage) die – figures that the live export industry consider to be “acceptable”. These statistics in no way account for the terrible suffering of those who die, and also those who survive the terrible journey, and who face shocking and egregious cruelty in destination countries. 1.77% of the Victorian cattle on the “Al Messilah” also died.

See “Al Messilah” mortality report here

Causes of death of the Tasmanian sheep were attributed in the AQIS report to:-
•    Tasmanian sheep have greater problems with heat stress. Sheep sourced from Tasmania are not as adapted to adverse climatic conditions experienced crossing the equator as sheep sourced from the mainland. 
•    Unfit animals (pink-eye) were allowed to enter the feedlot
•    Disease outbreak – keratoconjunctivitis ‘pink-eye’ developed from day 2 throughout the vessel. The AQIS vet had treated animals in the feedlot for this highly infectious disease.
•    Sub-clinical heat stress over an extended period of time.   The mortalities increased significantly as the temperature and humidity on board increased.
•    Duration of the voyage and multiple discharge ports. (25 day voyage)
•    Inadequate resources to properly maintain the welfare of the sheep.  Treatment of sheep was delayed due to the vet, stockmen, and crew having to focus on welfare issues with the cattle on board.
•    There was inadequate fodder on board – resulting in fodder being rationed at the end of the voyage.
The following breaches of the Tasmanian Animal Welfare Act have been identified by Animals Australia’s analysis:-

'keratoconjunctivitis' or 'pink-eye'

Section 7 Management of animals

A person who has the care or charge of an animal must not use a method of management of the animal which is reasonably likely to result in unreasonable and unjustifiable pain or suffering to the animal. Penalty: In the case of –
(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 40 penalty units; or
(b) a natural person, a fine not exceeding 20 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both.

Section 8 Cruelty to animals

(1) A person must not do any act, or omit to do any duty, which causes or is likely to cause unreasonable and unjustifiable pain or suffering to an animal. Penalty: In the case of –

(a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units; or
(b) a natural person, a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or both.

(2) Without limiting subsection (1) a person, whether or not the person is a person in charge of the animal, is cruel to an animal if the person —
(a) tortures, mutilates, maliciously beats or wounds, abuses, torments, or otherwise ill-treats, the animal;
(b) uses a prescribed inhumane device on the animal;
(c) intentionally or recklessly poisons the animal;
(d) does any prescribed act to, or in relation to, the animal; or
(e) in any other way causes the animal unnecessary harm.

(3) Without limiting subsection (1) a person in charge of an animal is cruel to an animal if the animal — 
(a) is transported in a way that causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm;
(b) is confined, restrained or caught in a manner that — 
(i) is prescribed; or
(ii) causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm;
(c) is worked, driven, ridden or otherwise used —
(i) when it is not fit to be so used or has been over used; or
(ii) in a manner that causes, or is likely to cause, it unnecessary harm;
(d) is not provided with proper and sufficient food or water;
(e) is not provided with such shelter, shade or other protection from the elements as is reasonably necessary to ensure its welfare, safety and health;
(f) is abandoned, whether at the place where it is normally kept or elsewhere;
(g) is subjected to a prescribed surgical or similar operation, practice or activity;
(h) suffers harm which could be alleviated by the taking of reasonable steps;
(i) suffers harm as a result of a prescribed act being carried out on, or in relation to, it; or
(j) is, in any other way, caused unnecessary harm.

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/media/foi/foi_info1.php

Read other Live Export FOI Reports obtained by Animals Australia
View other Live Export information and News Updates

Sadly, the complaints under the current Tasmanian Animal Welfare Act at that time had a statute of limitations of six months; however the Tasmanian government has been informed by Animals Australia and StopTAC that any further attempts to ship Tasmanian sheep on such journeys may be the subject of cruelty complaints. This is why it is a matter of enormous concern that export agents are able to export live animals by the subterfuge method of shipping them to Victoria and exporting them from Portland.

LIVE EXPORT UPDATE - November 2007

StopTAC has received a reply from Mr Llewellyn stating that in view of the "Al Messilah" mortality report, he may have to review his position on the export of Tasmanian sheep; however he is not prepared to do so solely on the basis of that report, and is seeking "technical advice".

He further advises that about 20,000 Tasmanian sheep were sent to live export from the mainland last year, (although he says he doesn't know the exact number), that (Constitutional) free-trade arrangements between the states are in place and that nothing can be done about this. StopTAC challenged this point of view citing s118 of the Constitution, which provides for the protection of State and Territory laws and judicial processes, and Mr Llewellyn "refused to debate the Constitution" with us. TasCountry continues to advertise for animals to be exported from Portland in Victoria.

In our response, we also pointed out that Tasmanian sheep exported from the mainland suffer just as much (if not more) if exported from the mainland, both during the voyage, and through the demonstrated brutality they face in importing countries, and that if the State Government knowngly allows this to continue, it is both negligent, and in breach of its own Tasmanian Animal Welfare Act.

You can write to the new Minister at:-

The Hon Bryan Green MHA

First Floor, Franklin Square

HOBART  TAS  7000

bryan.green@parliament.tas.gov.au

 

 

 

 

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