❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding the delayed cattle export vessel Pearl of Para, focusing on the mechanical issues, animal welfare, and inspection protocols. The Minister provides detailed responses addressing each concern.
AnsweredQoN 555Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
LIVE
CATTLE TRANSPORT SHIP — PEARL OF
PARA
555. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I note that some of the answers to this question were given
in the minister's ministerial statement.
(1) How long has the cattle export vessel Pearl of Para been delayed due to
mechanical problems?
(2) Is the ship still awaiting repairs near Fremantle port?
(3) Was the
ship inspected for seaworthiness before departure from Fremantle; and, if not,
when was the last time the ship was inspected for seaworthiness?
(4) What is the condition of the cattle aboard?
(5) How long have they been aboard?
(6) Please
detail the animal welfare inspections that have taken place or are planned, and
by which authorities?
(7) Will the
minister provide the Legislative Council with the veterinary reports on the
condition of the animals as soon as possible?
(8) Should any cattle be diagnosed as unfit for travel to
Israel, will they be unloaded in Fremantle?
(9) If yes to (8), where will they be taken?
CATTLE TRANSPORT SHIP — PEARL OF
PARA
555. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I note that some of the answers to this question were given
in the minister's ministerial statement.
(1) How long has the cattle export vessel Pearl of Para been delayed due to
mechanical problems?
(2) Is the ship still awaiting repairs near Fremantle port?
(3) Was the
ship inspected for seaworthiness before departure from Fremantle; and, if not,
when was the last time the ship was inspected for seaworthiness?
(4) What is the condition of the cattle aboard?
(5) How long have they been aboard?
(6) Please
detail the animal welfare inspections that have taken place or are planned, and
by which authorities?
(7) Will the
minister provide the Legislative Council with the veterinary reports on the
condition of the animals as soon as possible?
(8) Should any cattle be diagnosed as unfit for travel to
Israel, will they be unloaded in Fremantle?
(9) If yes to (8), where will they be taken?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) Pearl of Para departed from Fremantle
harbour on 4 September 2013. After encountering a propeller shaft coupling
problem on one of its propulsion units, the captain decided, on 7 September
2013, to return to Fremantle because this was the best way to protect the
welfare of the cattle and crew while conducting repairs.
(2) Yes. The vessel is at anchor off Fremantle, awaiting the
manufacture of a replacement coupling.
(3) The vessel
is fully compliant with Australian Maritime Safety Authority regulatory
standards. It holds a full-term Australian certificate for the carriage of
livestock issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the body that
controls the standard of vessels licensed to carry Australian livestock.
(4) The cattle
continue to be under the care of an Australian government–approved
veterinarian on board, who reports to a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries,
Forestry and Food veterinarian on shore two to three times a day. All reports
confirm the cattle to be in good condition and that their welfare status is not
compromised.
(5) The cattle
were loaded onto the vessel on Monday, 2 September, and Tuesday, 3 September,
before sailing on 4 September, so the longest any cattle have been on board is
15 days.
(6) In addition
to 24/7 onboard supervision by an experienced Australian government–approved
veterinarian, a senior compliance inspector from the Western Australian
Department of Agriculture and Food boarded the vessel on Friday, 13 September
2013, and undertook a detailed inspection of all animals on all decks. No
breaches of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 were detected. Further, the inspector
was of the opinion that the animals were being provided a high standard of care
and that there were no discernible animal welfare issues. A further inspection
by a DAFWA inspector will be undertaken when the vessel enters Fremantle
harbour to load fodder, water and other supplies before resuming its voyage to
Israel. It is understood the RSPCA has made arrangements with the exporter to
inspect the vessel and cargo when it is in Fremantle harbour.
(7) DAFWA's
livestock compliance unit does not make specific details of its inspection
available to the public as this information is obtained using an inspector's
powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2002. To ensure compliance with section 91,
''Improper use of information'', and section 48(6)(c)—minimise
disruption to a business activity—DAFWA's livestock compliance
unit only provides a basic statement; for example, no breaches or ongoing
investigation.
(8) The cattle
cannot be unloaded without an import order. The vessel is equipped to deal with
any animal welfare issues, including by treatment or euthanasia, or by the AA
veterinarian.
(9) Treated
animals will continue on the voyage; euthanised animals will be disposed of
according to standard protocols.
question.
(1) Pearl of Para departed from Fremantle
harbour on 4 September 2013. After encountering a propeller shaft coupling
problem on one of its propulsion units, the captain decided, on 7 September
2013, to return to Fremantle because this was the best way to protect the
welfare of the cattle and crew while conducting repairs.
(2) Yes. The vessel is at anchor off Fremantle, awaiting the
manufacture of a replacement coupling.
(3) The vessel
is fully compliant with Australian Maritime Safety Authority regulatory
standards. It holds a full-term Australian certificate for the carriage of
livestock issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, the body that
controls the standard of vessels licensed to carry Australian livestock.
(4) The cattle
continue to be under the care of an Australian government–approved
veterinarian on board, who reports to a Department of Agriculture, Fisheries,
Forestry and Food veterinarian on shore two to three times a day. All reports
confirm the cattle to be in good condition and that their welfare status is not
compromised.
(5) The cattle
were loaded onto the vessel on Monday, 2 September, and Tuesday, 3 September,
before sailing on 4 September, so the longest any cattle have been on board is
15 days.
(6) In addition
to 24/7 onboard supervision by an experienced Australian government–approved
veterinarian, a senior compliance inspector from the Western Australian
Department of Agriculture and Food boarded the vessel on Friday, 13 September
2013, and undertook a detailed inspection of all animals on all decks. No
breaches of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 were detected. Further, the inspector
was of the opinion that the animals were being provided a high standard of care
and that there were no discernible animal welfare issues. A further inspection
by a DAFWA inspector will be undertaken when the vessel enters Fremantle
harbour to load fodder, water and other supplies before resuming its voyage to
Israel. It is understood the RSPCA has made arrangements with the exporter to
inspect the vessel and cargo when it is in Fremantle harbour.
(7) DAFWA's
livestock compliance unit does not make specific details of its inspection
available to the public as this information is obtained using an inspector's
powers under the Animal Welfare Act 2002. To ensure compliance with section 91,
''Improper use of information'', and section 48(6)(c)—minimise
disruption to a business activity—DAFWA's livestock compliance
unit only provides a basic statement; for example, no breaches or ongoing
investigation.
(8) The cattle
cannot be unloaded without an import order. The vessel is equipped to deal with
any animal welfare issues, including by treatment or euthanasia, or by the AA
veterinarian.
(9) Treated
animals will continue on the voyage; euthanised animals will be disposed of
according to standard protocols.
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