Live updates: MV Bahijah livestock vessel

The department is working closely with the exporter, the live export industry, and state and federal government agencies to ensure the return to Australia of the MV Bahijah vessel is managed with the highest standards of biosecurity and animal welfare maintained.

The exporter’s registered veterinarian on board the vessel is recording details of the health and welfare of the livestock each day and this information is being provided to the department.

All reports to date indicate that there are no signs of any significant health or welfare concerns with the livestock on board.

The department is currently assessing the feasibility of an additional independent veterinarian attending the vessel to provide further assurance.

This morning, the exporter provided supporting information to the department to support their application to unload some animals in Australia prior to re-exporting the remaining animals on board the vessel.

The department is assessing this application as a priority, including working closely with our trading partners to ensure any decision to re-export the animals would be supported by the intended market.

These are high quality Australian animals; however, they would be subject to strict biosecurity controls while in Australia.

Ultimately, all plans are commercial decisions for the exporter that must be assessed by the department as the regulator.

These are complex decisions that must balance Australian biosecurity, export legislation, animal welfare considerations and the requirements of our international trading partners.

Further information will be published as decisions are reached.

For further background on the shipment please see previous statement published on 29 January 2024: www.agriculture.gov.au/about/news/update-29-january-2024-mv-bahijah-livestock-vessel

Update, 29 January 2024: MV Bahijah livestock vessel

29 January 2024, 3:58pm:

After considering information provided by the exporter, a decision was made on 20 January 2024 to direct the consignment of livestock on board the MV Bahijah be immediately returned to Australia.

This was in recognition of the exceptional circumstances and taking into account animal welfare considerations.

The department has been working closely with the exporter to determine next steps for the consignment once it returned to Australian waters.

These are high quality Australian animals; however, they would be subject to strict biosecurity controls while in Australia.

Protecting Australia’s strong biosecurity system and the welfare of the livestock on board remain the department’s top priorities.

The department has been working with the exporter to determine the options available to them, consistent with legislative and regulatory responsibilities and taking into account the unique circumstances of the vessel.

It is not appropriate for the department to comment publicly on these assessments until they are completed.

Further updates will be provided as they become available.

For further background on the shipment please see previous statement published on 19 January 2024: www.agriculture.gov.au/about/news/mv-bahijah-livestock-export-middle-east

MV Bahijah livestock export to the Middle East Update Saturday

20 January 2024, 3.00pm:

• To ensure the health and welfare of the livestock on the MV Bahijah, the department directed the exporter that the consignment be immediately returned to Australia.
• In making this decision the department considered the biosecurity risks associated with the livestock and the vessel and has not identified any basis on which these could not be managed within Australian territory.
• The welfare of the livestock and protecting Australia’s biosecurity remain the department’s top priorities.

MV Bahijah livestock export to the Middle East

19 January 2024, 4:51pm:

The Australian Government is closely monitoring the passage of a live export vessel that was destined for the Middle East but which has diverted from the Red Sea.

The health and welfare of the animals onboard remains a top priority.

The MV Bahijah loaded cattle and sheep in Fremantle, Western Australia and departed for the Middle East on 5 January 2024.

At the time of departure on 5 January, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry was satisfied that the arrangements for the transport of the livestock were appropriate to ensure their health and welfare.

As a condition of departure, the exporter was required to lodge contingency arrangements should the vessel not be able to reach the proposed destination in the Middle East.

The exporter also loaded additional fodder and veterinary supplies above those required by Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock for the proposed voyage.

A registered veterinarian and an accredited stockperson are on board the vessel, accompanying the consignment to attend to the health and welfare of the livestock.

Under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and the International Safety Management Code, the Master of the vessel has overriding authority and responsibility to make decisions with respect to the safety of the vessel.

The vessel has diverted away from the Red Sea due to the worsening security situation.

A range of contingency options remain open to the exporter, which will be reviewed by the department as they are submitted.

The department is monitoring the consignment closely and no significant animal health or welfare concerns have been reported at this time.

The department will continue to consider future consignments on a case by case basis.