[Tradeban] FW: FOI reveals horror shipment details - media release

[Sabina]

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From: Glenys Oogjes [mailto:googjes at animalsaustralia.org] 
Sent: Thursday, 2 August 2007 8:14 AM
To: googjes at animalsaustralia.org
Subject: FOI reveals horror shipment details - media release

 

Hi all - 

FYI, the text of our media release issued today is below - it details the
AQIS report findings on the MV Maysora shipment to Israel last
October/November.

 

For background - also see our media releases from back then - 

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/default2.asp?idL1=1269
<http://www.animalsaustralia.org/default2.asp?idL1=1269&idL2=1986>
&idL2=1986

http://www.animalsaustralia.org/default2.asp?idL1=1269
<http://www.animalsaustralia.org/default2.asp?idL1=1269&idL2=1989>
&idL2=1989

 

Glenys 

 

Media Release                 2nd August 2007

 

 

FOI request reveals horrors aboard live export vessel

 

 

Heat stress, septicaemia from leg wounds, and acute pneumonia led to the
deaths of 248 cattle aboard a horror journey of the MV Maysora from
Australia to Israel late last year.   A further 200+ cattle died of
pneumonia - or shipping fever as the Israeli vets call it - after being
unloaded more than 3 weeks after their journey began.

 

Peak animal protection organisation Animals Australia has obtained the
Government report of the journey under Freedom of Information (FOI).  The
deaths on board the Maysora led to the exporters, the Jordanian-owned LSS,
having their export licence suspended for two months.  

 

The FOI-obtained Report revealed - 

 

*	4657 cattle were loaded on the Maysora in Portland (12/13 Oct 06),
and 3148 cattle were then loaded in Fremantle (17 Oct 06).
*	61 cattle died before the ship reached the Israeli port of Eilat (3
Nov 06)   
*	179 cattle died whilst they were delayed on the ship for 3 days due
to 'security and clearance procedures' in the port of Eilat.
*	Most of those cattle that died enroute to Eilat died of septicaemia
(blood poisoning) from infected leg wounds caused through prolonged
sitting/lying on the abrasive flooring (on 6 of the 7 decks).  Most that
died of this cause were Freisian bulls from Portland.
*	The rest of the cattle deaths have been attributed to respiratory
disease - pneumonia, shipping fever (acute pneumonia generally induced by
stress) - and leg/injuries infection, compounded by high temperature and
humidity in the Port.  
*	The pen floors were described by the on-board veterinarian as
'sloppy' throughout the journey (faeces, urine, water) - adding to the risk
of infection.
*	Only 'between 30 and 40 of the cattle were euthanased' by the
onboard veterinarian - the others died in their pens of their injuries or
disease.

 

Amongst the AQIS report's resultant recommendations were a ban on
Fresian-breed bulls being transported from southern Australia to the ME, and
to provide more space for cattle on board. Despite abrasive flooring causing
injuries/wounds that led to deaths by septicaemia - there is no
recommendation for additional bedding.

 

"If such suffering and death can result from 'world's best practice' as the
live export industry proudly declare of their trade, and with a vet on
board, then this voyage provides further irrefutable proof why this trade
must end, "  states Glenys Oogjes. Animals Australia's Executive Director.

 

            

NB 73,000 sheep were also on the Maysora - some later unloaded in Jordan,
others in Egypt - and 862 died onboard.  

 

 

 

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