Report 231: MV Maysora – Cattle and sheep exported to Israel and Jordan in January 2023

Livestock: 5,595 cattle and 39,995 sheep

Vessel: MV Maysora

Loading location and date: Fremantle, from 13 to 14 January 2023

Vessel departure location and date: Fremantle, 15 January 2023

Discharge location and dates:

• Eilat, Israel, from 1 to 3 February 2023
• Aqaba, Jordan, from 3 to 4 February 2023

Voyage length: 23 days

Independent Observer (observer): Boarded at Fremantle and remained onboard until completion of discharge.

Voyage mortality rate: 0.04% (2 mortalities) for cattle and 0.09% (36 mortalities) for sheep. These mortalities are unlikely to be linked to any systemic failure by either exporter.

Notifiable mortality rate: 0.5% for cattle and 1% for sheep

This report summarises key observations of the implementation and effectiveness of arrangements for two exporters to ensure the health and welfare of livestock. The report has been approved by the observer who accompanied the voyage.

Exporter documentation

The observer reported no issues regarding exporter documentation.

Loading

Based on observations made during this voyage, exporter arrangements relating to loading were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.

Personnel

Based on observations made during this voyage, exporter arrangements relating to personnel were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.

Daily routine

Based on observations made during this voyage, exporter arrangements relating to daily routine were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.

Feed and water

The observer noted that feed pellets broke down into fines (fodder dust), which was observed in troughs at varying times of day throughout the voyage. Fines were observed mostly on Decks 7 and 8, and fines increased over the last days of the voyage. A maximum of 5% feed was observed as fines in troughs and this was regularly removed by livestock crew. Livestock were observed eating throughout each feed cycle with no direct adverse effects on animal health and welfare observed.

Ventilation

Based on observations made during this voyage, the exporter arrangements relating to ventilation were appropriate and effective in managing livestock health and welfare.

Pen conditions

The observer noted that:

1. Sheep were observed to fit through pen railings on a previous voyage on the MV Maysora. The observer confirmed engineering works had been undertaken prior to the current voyage to close railing gaps and no sheep were observed to have escaped from their pens.
2. On Day 6, cattle pad conditions became sloppy as a result of high humidity. These pads were managed through washing of cattle decks on days 7 to 8, 11 to 12 and 15 to 16. No increase in lameness or other adverse welfare outcomes were observed as a result of the pad conditions or deck washes.

Health and welfare

The Australian Accredited Veterinarian (AAV) reported that:

1. There were 54 treatments for cattle and 144 treatments for sheep during the voyage, for conditions including leg injuries, nasal discharge, eye issues and ill-thrift. All sheep and some cattle requiring treatment were moved to hospital pens.
2. A total of 2 cattle mortalities and 36 sheep mortalities occurred on this voyage. The AAV did not euthanise any livestock during the voyage.
3. Post mortems were performed by the AAV for 36 mortalities, with the main causes identified as ill-thrift and gut issues.

Discharge

The observer noted that:

1. A truck did not fully back onto the discharge platform during discharge in Eilat. The resulting gap allowed a cow to escape onto the port. The animal was sedated by the AAV, treated for minor abrasions and moved to a hospital truck as it was deemed fit for transport.
2. Other than the above issue, the observer reported that discharge continued with no further health and welfare concerns observed.

No adverse animal health and welfare outcomes arising from exporter arrangements were observed, and no regulatory action was taken for this voyage.