Protest planned as purpose-built cattle ship Al Kuwait sails towards Timaru port

Protest planned as purpose-built cattle ship Al Kuwait sails towards Timaru port
Yashas Srinivasa Feb 02 2022 https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/127663086/protest-planned-as-...

Felicity Penno at the protest against live animal exports in August 2021. Photo: Valentina Bellomo/Stuff
Another protest is planned in Timaru for the return of purpose-built livestock ship Al Kuwait which scheduled to arrive on Sunday.

The 189.5-metre ship is permitted to load up to 6748 live cattle bound for China according to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) which will push livestock export numbers from Timaru to nearly 130,000 since the start of 2015.

The protest will be held on Sunday at midday on the corner of Stafford and Strathallan Sts following on from a protest about the ship’s visit in August 2021. It will be the seventh protest since November 2020 against the export of live cattle.

Protest organiser Lyn Mansel said the reason for the protest remains the speeding up of live cattle exports before it is banned in April 2023 and the number of ships coming through currently.

“It feels like they (the Government) are not winding down the exports but speeding up,” Mansel said.

“We are not confident that they will go ahead with the promise they made for next year. Next year is an election year and things might change.

“We would ask the Government to stop the export now. We want them to remember that we are not going to go away, and we will be waiting and watching the ships coming in.”

MPI said 43,669 livestock were exported through Timaru in 2021 which is more than double the total in 2019 and over 12,000 more than 2020. Previously published figures show Timaru’s livestock export totals were 31,362 in 2020; 20,044 in 2019; 7349 in 2018; 3068 in 2017; 13,124 in 2016; 4394 in 2015.

An MPI spokesperson said the cattle is a mix of dairy and beef - all for breeding purposes, not slaughter.

“MPI does not collate information on the origin of the cattle,” the spokesperson said.

“This is best asked of the exporters as it is a commercial decision between the vendors, buyers and export agents.

“The Al Kuwait is likely to depart Timaru on February 10, but the vessel will be loaded only when MPI has assessed all the animal welfare requirements, and departure of the vessel will occur only once MPI has verified compliance and issued an Animal Welfare Export Certificate.”

The spokesperson said the animals are thoroughly checked by MPI veterinarians during pre-export isolation. Checks include general health and body condition score.

“The export of cattle for breeding is a regulated activity under the Animal Welfare Act, with several stages of strict requirements that must be met before an export can proceed.

“No export of live animals can proceed until we have conducted a post-loading review to ensure we are completely satisfied with the conditions on board. In the destination country government officials will also inspect the vessel.

“People experienced in handling animals must be on board. For sea voyages, the minimum requirement is at least one experienced stockman per 1400 cattle, in addition to the crew of the vessel.”

A veterinarian is required to be on board as well.

Covid-19-related protocols mean the crew of the Al Kuwait do not leave the vessel while it is in port. Protective gear and prescribed social distancing is required when MPI inspectors and veterinarians board the vessel, and this is also required of the crew.

MPI said a new requirement came effect on December 1, 2021, that within 30 days of transport from the farm to pre-export isolation (PEI) the recognised agency must reject animals with a body condition score below 4 on the 1-10 dairy scale.