Live export ship Al Messilah

16 August 2011
DAFF11/015D

The live animal export vessel Al Messilah returned to Port Adelaide on Friday 12 August 2011 after experiencing mechanical failure less than a day after its departure.

The mechanical failure has not affected the ventilation, feed and water systems for the 67,000 sheep onboard.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is working with the vessel’s master and the exporter to maintain the welfare of the animals.

The sheep are under the care of an Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service approved veterinarian who is onboard.

The vessel is being assessed to determine if immediate repairs can be conducted, or whether the ship will need to be dry-docked.

If the vessel can undergo immediate repair, the sheep may remain onboard.

If the ship cannot be repaired within a reasonable period, the sheep can be unloaded and moved directly to a nearby feedlot that is an AQIS-approved registered facility.

If unloaded, the sheep will be held under quarantine conditions at the feedlot pending their re-export or processing within Australia. This arrangement will ensure appropriate animal health and welfare outcomes are met.

A risk assessment and associated risk management measures have been endorsed by Animal Health Committee concerning the unloading of the sheep from the vessel.

This risk assessment has determined that there are negligible animal welfare and biosecurity risks associated with this action.

The Animal Health Committee comprises of representatives from the Commonwealth and state and territory governments. The committee is working closely with industry stakeholders on this matter.