AQIS Mortality Investigation reports

L006

August 2010

38. Fremantle to Bahrain, Kuwait and the UAE

Sheep

1407
(2.04%)

2%

2.04%

The main cause of mortality for this voyage was heat stress.

AQIS placed the following conditions on a subsequent consignment of sheep, exported from Fremantle to the Middle East on this vessel by this exporter, in October 2010. These conditions were designed to reduce the risk of mortality due to heat stress:

• Sheep on all decks must be loaded with 10% additional space above the ASEL table A4.1.5.
• The exporter must provide to AQIS an updated load plan and HSRA prior to issuance of an export permit.

The result for the consignment of sheep with these conditions applied was 421 mortalities reported, out of 67 920 sheep loaded, which equates to a mortality of 0.6%.

L366

July 2010

37. Portland and Adelaide to Bahrain and Kuwait

Sheep

2572
(3.32%)

2%

3.32%

The main causes of mortality for this voyage were heat stress and enteritis.

AQIS placed the following conditions on a subsequent consignment of sheep, exported from Adelaide and Portland to the Persian Gulf in August 2010.

• The exporter must provide to AQIS a declaration stating that pastoral and station sheep have not been prepared for export for this consignment.
• The exporter must provide to AQIS an updated load plan and HSRA prior to issuance of an export permit.
• Sheep must be loaded with following extra space above the ASEL table A4.1.5:
• • Rams – 20%
  • All other classes of sheep – 15%

The on board veterinary supplies must include an additional 100kg of oxytetracycline.

• 6 MT of chaff must be loaded.

In addition to these conditions, AQIS veterinary officers inspected the sheep twice during the assembly period.

The result for the August 2010 consignment was 1242 mortalities reported out of 69 952 sheep loaded, which equates to a mortality rate of 1.78%.

AQIS placed the following conditions on a subsequent consignments of sheep exported from Adelaide and Portland to the Persian Gulf by this exporter in October 2010.

• The exporter must provide to AQIS a declaration stating that pastoral and station sheep have not been prepared for export for this consignment.
• The exporter must provide to AQIS an updated load plan and HSRA prior to issuance of an export permit.
• Sheep must be loaded with 10% additional space above the ASEL table A4.1.5.
• No rams are to be loaded.
• The on board veterinary supplies must include an additional 100kg of oxytetracycline powder.
• The exporter must load 3 MT of chaff on the vessel.

In addition to these conditions, AQIS veterinary officers inspected the sheep twice during the assembly period.

L446

June 2010

36. Portland to Bahrain, Kuwait and UAE

Sheep

913
(2.50 per cent)

2 per cent

2.50 per cent

The main cause of mortalities was enteritis, though mortalities due to heat stress were also recorded. High temperatures and humidity in the Persian Gulf contributed to the mortality exceeding the reportable level.

AQIS placed the following conditions on a subsequent consignment of sheep exported from Portland to the Persian Gulf by this exporter:

• The exporter must not prepare pastoral and station sheep for export for this consignment.
• During the last three clear days in the registered premises, the sheep must be fed ab libitum, but only on pelletised feed equivalent to that normally used during the export journey.

Note that ab libitum is intended to mean that the sheep have unrestricted access to feed.
The result for the consignment with the additional conditions was acceptable with 427 mortalities reported out of 40,895 sheep loaded which equates to a mortality of 1.04 per cent.

L500

Feb 2010

35. Fremantle to Egypt

Cattle

295
(1.79 per cent)

1 per cent

1.79 per cent

The main cause of cattle mortality was pneumonia. There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of pneumonia in cattle. In this case breed, lack of immunity to infectious pathogens (background vaccination), heat stress, deck conditions, stress of co-mingling, environment and transport are likely to have contributed to the development of pneumonia in these cattle.

An AQIS senior veterinary officer accompanied the subsequent consignment of cattle exported to Egypt by this exporter and AQIS placed the following conditions on the approval:

• The cattle are provided at least an additional 10 per cent space above the ASEL stocking density
• Days loading the cattle on board the vessel to be included in the final calculation for feed, water and bedding provided.
• All feed, water, and bedding to be loaded prior to completion of loading of cattle.
• The on board veterinary supplies should include:
• antibiotics appropriate for the treatment of bovine respiratory disease at the rate of at least 100 cattle doses per 1000 head of cattle loaded.
• anti-inflammatory drugs- flunixin or equivalent- at a rate of at least 50 cattle doses per 1000 head of cattle loaded. 
• The end of voyage report must include details of the suspected causes of mortality (based on post mortem examination findings where possible).

The result for this consignment was 20 mortalities out of 17,186 cattle loaded which equates to a mortality rate of 0.12 per cent.

L233

Nov
2009

34. Perth to Malaysia.

Sheep

138
(7.36 per cent)

2 per cent

7.36 per cent

Inadequate ventilation in the main cargo hold causing increased temperature, humidity and ammonia levels.

AQIS developed the ‘Carriers Maindeck Ventilation Declaration’ that must be completed for all consignments of livestock exported by air.
Livestock industry is currently developing enhanced air ventilation software to improve risk management of livestock exported by air.
AQIS applied the following conditions to the exporter’s subsequent consignment:

• Sheep are bare shorn
• All livestock are supplied with 10 per cent space over and above the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock table A6.1.2 and A6.1.3.
• The exporter must provide AQIS WA with a completed ‘Carriers Maindeck Ventilation Declaration’ prior to the livestock departing from the airport.
• Aircraft is pre-cooled before the livestock are loaded.

A subsequent consignment of 1428 sheep and 428 goats by air was exported from Perth to Singapore with a mortality count of 2 sheep (mortality rate of 0.14 per cent).

L006

August 2009

33. Fremantle to Kuwait, Bahrain and UAE

34,535 Sheep

756
(2.19 per cent)

2 per cent

1.93 per cent

The main causes of mortality were enteritis, inanition and heat stress. For this voyage additional stress prior to loading and high temperatures in the Persian Gulf contributed to the mortality exceeding the reportable level.

AQIS placed the following condition on a subsequent consignment of sheep exported from Fremantle to the Persian Gulf by this exporter:

• No sheep are to be shorn within 48 hours prior to departure from the registered premises.

The result for the consignment with the additional condition was acceptable with 462 mortalities reported out of 65,495 sheep loaded which equates to a mortality rate of 0.71 per cent.

The subsequent two voyages of the same vessel were also acceptable with sheep mortalities less than 1 per cent for both voyages.

L028

March
2009

32. Portland to Kuwait

 

500
Cattle

9
(1.8 per cent)

1 per cent

1.8 per cent

Complications around the time of calving appeared to have played a role in at least six of the mortalities. Poor quality chaff and a reduction in feed intake were noted, and may have contributed to the mortalities. Inaccuracies in pregnancy diagnosis were also noted given that 19 full term calves were born during the voyage.

AQIS accept the exporter’s decision to limit the maximum individual weight of the pregnant cows to the Middle East to 600 kilograms and to perform two pregnancy tests.
The Livestock Export Standards Advisory Group and the Livecorp Technical Working Group to consider whether the ASEL adequately addresses the risks for the export of pregnant cows and heifers.

L350

Feb 2009

31. Fremantle to Indonesia

1990 Cattle

14
(0.70 per cent)

0.5 per cent

0.70 per cent

13 of the 14 mortalities were cows. 5 of the 14 cow mortalities were euthanized. There is insufficient information available to definitively determine the cause of the remaining 9 mortalities. The available information indicates that heat and humidity associated with ventilation dead spots may have contributed to but were not the sole cause of the mortalities.

AQIS placed the following conditions on the subsequent consignment of cattle exported from Fremantle to Indonesia by this exporter:

• Cattle for export must be resident for 3 clear days in the registered premises immediately prior to the export
• The cattle must be provided with 10 per cent additional space above the requirements of the ASEL

In addition to the accredited stockman required by ASEL, an AQIS accredited veterinarian is required to travel with, and report on the voyage.

L247

Dec 2008

30. Darwin to Indonesia

1,850 Cattle

21
(1.14 per cent)

0.5 per cent

1.14 per cent

The AQIS investigation did not establish the cause of the mortalities. All the mortalities were cows.

Subsequent consignments exported by the licensed exporter were subject to the conditions including:

• a minimum of three clear days residency in the registered premises immediately prior to export.
• 10 per cent additional space over and above the ASEL specifications.
• An on-board AAV to accompany the consignment to investigate mortalities.

L233

Nov 2008

29. Fremantle to Singapore

350 Goats

18
(5.14 per cent)

2 per cent

5.14 per cent (goats)

Heat and humidity contributed to the reportable mortality that occurred in the consignment of goats. There is insufficient information available to determine whether the goats were affected by any other additional disease or disorder that contributed to the reportable mortality.

AQIS will consider applying the following conditions to all exports of goats by sea from the southern West Australian ports on voyages of less than 10 days duration (for all exporters):

• an on-board AAV to accompany the consignment to investigate mortalities.
• goats must be provided with additional space over and above the ASEL requirements.
• goats must be resident in one registered premise for a minimum of 5 clear days before export and
• goats are fed ad libitum during the 5 clear day pre-export period and only on shipboard ration intended to be used during the export journey.
• the shipboard ration must include a minimum of 200 grams of chaff or hay per day per goat.

L432

20 May 2008

28. Melbourne to Malaysia

123 cattle

14
(11 per cent)

0.5 per cent

11 per cent

AQIS concluded that the mortalities were due to a mechanical failure of the ventilation system in the rear hold of the lower cargo compartment of the aircraft.

The following conditions were applied to subsequent consignments:

• no livestock are to be loaded in the lower cargo compartment (belly hold) of the air craft.

Following the successful export of 13 consignments of livestock, the condition was modified to:

• no cattle are to be loaded in the lower cargo compartment (belly hold) of the aircraft.

L233

Feb 2008

27. Fremantle to Indonesia

1,789 cattle

15
(0.85 per cent)

0.5 per cent

0.84 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded that the factors contributing to the cattle mortalities were rough weather due to nearby TC Nicolas resulting in injuries to the cattle. These injuries either directly caused the death of the cattle or resulted in euthanasia at the port.

Three subsequent consignments of cattle exported to south-east Asia were subject to the following conditions:

• The cattle require 3 clear days in the registered premises immediately prior to export.
• The cattle must be provided with 10 per cent additional space over and above the requirements of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock.
• In addition to the accredited stockman required by the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock, an AQIS accredited veterinarian will be required to travel with, and report on the voyage.

All 3 consignments experienced mortality levels below the reportable level.
Three subsequent consignments of cattle exported to south-east Asia were subject to the following conditions:

• The cattle require 3 clear days in the registered premises immediately prior to export.

All 3 consignments experienced mortality levels below the reportable level.

L129

Jan 2008

26. Geraldton to Indonesia

724 cattle

14
(1.93 per cent)

0.5 per cent

1.93 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded that there were two syndromes of mortalities of the cows during the voyage - euthanasia at the port due to inability to stand and sudden death in cows. A definitive cause of the sudden death was not established.

• The subsequent export of consignments of cattle by this exporter will be subject to the following conditions:
• Cattle for export must be resident for 5 clear days in the registered premises immediately prior to export.
• Each individual animal must weigh less than 550 kg.
• The cattle must be provided with 10 per cent additional space over and above the requirements of the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock.
• In addition to the accredited stockman required by the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock, an AQIS accredited veterinarian will be required to travel with, and report on the voyage.  

L461

Dec 2007

25. Port Kembla to Madagascar

2,124 goats

54
(2.54 per cent)

2 per cent

2.54 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded the cause of the mortalities was enteritis (consistent with salmonellosis) and pneumonia.

AQIS will consider the following conditions for the subsequent consignments of goats exported by the licensed exporter:

• AQIS veterinarian or AQIS accredited veterinarian required on board;
• 10 per cent additional space above the ASEL;
• weighing individual animals in the registered premise;
• a minimum of 10 days in the registered premise

This exporter has not completed any subsequent consignments.

L028

Nov 2007

24. Fremantle to Jakarta

1,832
Cattle

14
(0.76 per cent)

0.5 per cent

0.76 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded that the cattle were euthanased after developing lameness or sudden death of undetermined cause.

The next 4 consignments of cattle to SE Asia had additional conditions including:

• A minimum of three clear days in the registered premises.
• Additional ten per cent space over and above the ASEL and the heat stress risk assessment specifications
• An AQIS accredited veterinarian to accompany the consignment.

L233

Oct 2007

23. Fremantle to Saudi Arabia

55,520
Sheep

1,142
(2.06 per cent)

2 per cent

(2.06 per cent)

AQIS concluded the cause of the mortalities was enteritis (consistent with salmonellosis).

Consignments for the exporter had an additional space requirement over the ASEL and the Heat Stress Risk Assessment.

L517

Oct 2007

22. Melbourne to Kuala Lumpur

NB — this shipment was by air freight.

325
Goats

20
(6.15 per cent)

2 per cent

6.15 per cent

AQIS concluded the cause of the mortalities was collapse of the crate.

Consignments for the exporter had additional conditions including a report from a structural engineer on the proposed transport crate and the weighing of the animals was supervised by AQIS.

L366

Aug 2007

21. Adelaide, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jebel Ali.

59,865
Sheep

1,251
(2.09 per cent)

2 per cent

1.62 per cent

AQIS concluded the cause of the mortalities was enteritis (consistent with salmonellosis).

Consignments for the exporter had an additional space requirement over the ASEL and the Heat Stress Risk Assessment.

L233

Aug 2007

20. Fremantle, Kuwait, Bahrain, Jebel Ali, Muscat.

76,149
Sheep

1,923
(2.53 per cent)

2 per cent

2.53 per cent

AQIS concluded the cause of the mortalities was enteritis (consistent with salmonellosis).

Consignments for the exporter had an additional space requirement over the ASEL and the Heat Stress Risk Assessment.

L366

June 2007

19. Adelaide, Fremantle, Kuwait, Bahrain, Doha, Jebel Ali, Muscat.

27,626
Sheep

593
(2.15 per cent)

2 per cent

1.58 per cent

AQIS concluded the cause of the mortalities was enteritis (consistent with salmonellosis) followed by heat stress.

The next consignment for the exporter had an additional condition of ten per cent additional space over the ASEL and the Heat Stress Risk Assessment.

L129

July 2007

18. Fremantle to Port Louis Maritius.

304
goats

38
(12.5 per cent)

2 per cent

12.5 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded the cause of the mortalities was inanition and enteritis.

AQIS suspended the export licence for goat exports pending completion of the investigation. Restricted licence of goat exports to short haul voyage only. The first consignment will have an accredited veterinarian accompany the consignment. AQIS issued an Export Advisory Notice for additional conditions for the export of goats. AQIS is not permitting the export of goats on voyages longer than 10 days.

L446

July 2007

17. Portland to Kuwait, Bahrain, Doha and Jebel Ali.

25,872

653
(2.52 per cent)

2 per cent

1.72 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded the cause of mortalities was heat stress and salmonella/ inanition complex

The next consignment for the exporter had an additional condition of ten per cent additional space over the ASEL and the Heat Stress Risk Assessment. 

L500

June 2007

16. Fremantle to Oman.

14,912

349
(2.34 per cent)

2 per cent

1.58 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded the cause of mortalities was heat stress and salmonella/ inanition complex

The next consignment for the exporter had an additional condition of ten per cent additional space over the ASEL and the Heat Stress Risk Assessment.

L500

May 2007

15. Fremantle to Oman

14,954 sheep

622
(4.16 per cent)

2 per cent

1.88 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded the cause of mortalities was heat stress and salmonella/ inanition complex

The next consignment for the exporter had an additional condition of ten per cent additional space over the ASEL and the Heat Stress Risk Assessment for sheep exported on an open deck.

L 129

May 2007

14. Port Hedland to Jakarta Indonesia

721 Cattle

9
(1.25 per cent)

0.5 per cent

1.25 per cent

Various unrelated causes of mortalities including injury, respiratory disease and bloat.

The next consignment for the exporter had additional conditions including:

1. A minimum of three clear days in the registered premises.
2. An AQIS accredited veterinarian to accompany the consignment to investigate mortalities.

L502

May 2007

13. Darwin to Belawan Indonesia

866 cattle

5
(0.57 per cent)

0.5 per cent

0.57 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded that the cattle were injured during the voyage requiring humane destruction.

The next consignment for the exporter had additional conditions including:

1. A minimum of three clear days in the registered premises.
2. An AQIS accredited veterinarian to accompany the consignment to investigate mortalities.

L428

May 2007

12. Karumba to Amamapare Indonesia

724 cattle

4
(0.55 per cent)

0.5 per cent

0.55 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded that the cattle were injured during discharge requiring humane destruction.

The next consignment for the exporter had additional conditions including:

1. A minimum of three clear days in the registered premises.
2. An AQIS accredited veterinarian to accompany the consignment to investigate mortalities.

L129

March 2007

11. Fremantle to Jakarta

1,695 cattle

68
(4 per cent)

0.5 per cent

4 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded the mortalities were associated with rough weather conditions from the presence of nearby cyclones, which lead to recumbency and injuries, requiring humane destruction.

No action taken.

L028

Dec 2006

10. Fremantle to Eilat

3,491 cattle

43
(1.2 per cent)

1 per cent

1.2 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded that the cause of the mortalities was an outbreak of pneumonia.

The next consignment of cattle to Israel had additional conditions including:

1. A minimum of three clear days in the registered premises.
2. Additional ten per cent space over and above the ASEL and the heat stress risk assessment specifications

L028

Oct 2006

9. Wyndham to Pasar Gudang

2,374 cattle

15
(0.63 per cent)

0.5 per cent

0.63 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded that the mortality level for the voyage was due to euthanasia. The cattle were euthanased because they were recumbent or unable to be discharged.

Additional conditions on exporter’s next four consignments including:

1. AQIS accredited veterinarian to accompany the consignment.
2. That cattle are in registered premises for three clear days.
3. The cattle are given an additional ten per cent space above ASEL.

L500

Sept 2006

8. Fremantle to Oman

17,999 sheep

373
(2.07 per cent)

2 per cent

1.46 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded cause of deaths of the sheep were mainly due to enteric signs consistent with the salmonella/inanition complex

Industry research and development into salmonella / inanition complex.

L006

July
2006

7. Fremantle to Jebel Ali, Kuwait, Bahrain and Doha

20,701
sheep

449
(2.17 per cent)

2 per cent

1.97 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded the cause of the deaths was heat stress.

AQIS audited the exporter following the incident. The records indicated the livestock were loaded in accordance with the ASEL and heat stress risk assessment.

L028

July 2006

6. Broome to Pasar Gudang

478 cattle

7
(1.4 per cent)

1 per cent

1.4 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded the cause of the deaths for 4 of the cattle was pneumonia. Each of the remaining cattle died of unrelated causes.

AQIS recommends that research and development be undertaken into on-board pneumonia and that LESAC examines measures relating to managing pneumonia in cattle on export voyages.

L363

12 Oct 2006

5. Fremantle to Israel and Jordan *

7,805 cattle

248
(3.18 per cent)

1 per cent

3.18 per cent

The AQIS investigation concluded Pneumonia and heat stress and leg injuries/septicaemia were the main factors.

The exporter was not permitted to export cattle to the Middle East until the investigation was completed.
Consignments of cattle by this exporter had additional conditions including:

1. Only one voyage at a time.
2. Sufficient antibiotics to be carried in the event of an outbreak of pneumonia.
3. Additional accredited stockman.
4. Fifteen or ten per cent additional space over and above the ASEL specifications.
5. Additional conditions to be reviewed based on voyage results.
6. Cattle exported from southern ports to the Middle East to be held for three clear days in the registered premises.

AQIS has written to LESAC suggesting a review of the type and amount of antibiotic loaded and recommending that slaughter and feeder cattle to the Middle East are vaccinated using Bovilis vaccine.

L509

17 Mar 2006

4. Fremantle to South Korea*

851 cattle

11
(1.29 per cent)

1 per cent

1.29 per cent

Heat stress from 11 days of high temperatures and humidity was the most likely cause of the high mortalities with the heavier cattle most susceptible.

The next consignment to Korea by this exporter will require an AQIS accredited onboard veterinarian. Cattle greater than 450kg will be allocated 10 per cent more space and cattle weighing greater than 500kg will not be permitted. The exporter has not exported any cattle to Korea since the incident.

L507

10 Feb 2006

3. Portland to Kuwait and United Arab Emirates*

320 cattle

6
(1.88  per cent)

1 per cent

0.7 per cent

The factors contributing to mortalities included movement of cows between registered premises prior to export and insufficient space available for hospital pens.

The exporter must hold cattle for a minimum of three clear days in registered premises, provide 10 per cent extra space above the ASEL* requirements and provide additional chaff supplements. The subsequent consignment with these additional conditions applied did not incur any mortalities. These conditions have since been removed from this exporter.

L024

12 Feb 2006

2. Devonport to United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar*

71,309 sheep

1,683 (2.36 per cent)

2 per cent

2.36 per cent

The main cause of mortalities was failure to eat the shipboard ration (inanition).

The next consignment of sheep exported from Tasmania will be accompanied by an AQIS veterinary officer.  All sheep will be required to be in the registered premise for five clear days and must be fed shipboard ration. No exports from Tasmania since 2006.

L203

4 Jan 2006

1. Geraldton to Malaysia *

1,675 goats

51
(3.04 per cent)

2 per cent

3.04 per cent

Rapid feed ration changes and an extended time on the vessel due to maintenance problems contributed to the high mortality level.

AQIS applies additional conditions above the ASEL for all goat exports by sea. The goats must be held in registered premises for a minimum of five days prior to export and to be fed exclusively on the shipboard ration.