AN Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) investigation into the 295 cattle deaths aboard a Wellard shipment from Fremantle to Egypt earlier this year, has found pneumonia to be the main cause of mortalities.
A total of 16,460 cattle were loaded on the MV Ocean Shearer in Fremantle on February 23, with 295 mortalities recorded by the end of the voyage, equating to an unacceptable mortality rate of 1.79 per cent.
For cattle, a mortality rate equal to, or exceeding one per cent in in voyages greater than or equal to 10 days is reportable to AQIS.
According to the AQIS report, released last week, pneumonia was the main cause of death, associated with 73.2pc of the diagnosed cattle mortalities.
"There are a number of factors that can contribute to the development of pneumonia in cattle," the report said.
"In this case breed, lack of immunity to infectious pathogens (from either background vaccination or prior exposure to pathogens), heat stress, deck conditions, stress of co-mingling, environment and transport are likely to have contributed to the development of pneumonia in these cattle."
Other causes of mortality on the voyage included inanition, bloat, rumenal indigestion, peritonitis, enteritis, misadventure and septicaemia.
The report said AQIS was considering applying conditions to consignments of cattle exported to, or through, the Middle East or North Africa, which included the proviso that cattle must be vaccinated with a suitable product for bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
It also required an additional accredited stockman to accompany the cattle, that cattle be resident for three clear days in the registered premises immediately prior to export, the loading of fodder and water must be completed prior to completion of loading of livestock and the cattle must be provided with additional space.
To reduce the risk of such an incident reoccurring, Wellards implemented strategies which AQIS have accepted, including the purchase of cattle that have been through a suitable weaning practice, such as yard weaning, to reduce the incidence of BRD.
The exporter is also considering the development of a background vaccination protocol for BRD.
Wellard Rural Exports managing director Steve Meerwald said Wellard began making changes to its procurement and management procedures and protocols as soon as the problem on the February voyage began to emerge.
"Wellard ships sheep and cattle from Australian ports on almost a weekly basis without incident, so the mortality rates we encountered on the February shipment were very disappointing," Mr Meerwald said.
"However, it was important to learn from the issues encountered on that voyage, so we made immediate changes to ensure it is not repeated and that our animal welfare outcomes continue to improve.
"AQIS has endorsed those changes and has required a number of additional measures for extended voyages to the Middle East and Africa, which Wellard has already adopted."
Those measures include:
p Vaccination of southern cattle with a suitable product for bovine respiratory disease
p An additional accredited stockman is required to accompany the cattle
p Increased time period cattle must be resident in the registered premises immediately prior to export
p Loading of fodder and water to be completed prior to completion of loading of livestock
p The provision of additional space for the cattle, over and above the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) requirements
The report sparked a fresh call from animal welfare groups for an end to the live export trade, and RSPCA chief executive officer Heather Neil said the report was a terrible indictment on Wellard.
The RSPCA called on the government to tighten regulations for live exporters when the ASEL are reviewed next year.
"This is not an isolated incident," Ms Neil said.
"Around 1000 cattle and 40,000 sheep die at sea every year while being exported for slaughter.
"This disturbing case highlights the inherent risks of transporting animals over such long distances.
"The absurd part of this whole situation is that while these cattle were suffering at sea, Australian workers in our meat processing industry were being laid off due to a shortage of animals.
"Every animal we send overseas for slaughter takes Australian jobs with it and for little economic reward. Last year our beef exports were worth five times more to the Australian economy than live cattle exports."
Mr Meerwald said Wellard informed both AQIS and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) as soon as it became apparent the animal health issue was occurring on board the voyage and animal welfare remained high on the company's agenda.
"Animal welfare has always been central to Wellard's management of the live export process," he said.
"From the construction of new ships with superior feed, water and ventilation systems to the commissioning of independent animal welfare audits, animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do."
This week Wellard announced that the newest addition to its shipping fleet, the MV Ocean Outback had completed its maiden voyage, with a perfect success rate.
The MV Ocean Outback transported 3784 steers and heifers without a single mortality to the Indonesian ports of Jakarta and Panjang.