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Second ship to supply sheep feed as costs mount
17 Oct 2003
A second ship will be sent to the Middle East to meet up with the MV Cormo Express and supply feed for the sheep on board. Cormo Express, which has not yet left Kuwait, will have to get any further feed and water from Australia, Agriculture Minister, Warren Truss, said on October 16.
The cost of the debacle has now been estimated at up to $16 million. The charter ship costs are believed to be about $70,000 a day, which the Government is now covering. It will have to be paid back by the live export industry through a levy on animal exports.
The World Animal Health Organisation has now entered the fray. The WAHO will examine a report by Australian veterinary and quarantine officials showing the sheep can be safely returned home for slaughter, thus effectively giving a second opinion.
The Age, 17/10/03.
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