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Vets urge slaughter of ship sheep to avoid disease
2 Oct 2003
Former leading veterinary officers are urging the Federal Government to order the slaughter of the 50,000-plus sheep stranded on the Cormo Express in the Middle East. John Auty, former assistant director of the Bureau of Animal Health, said the sheep had probably been exposed to exotic insect-borne diseases and their return to Australia would pose a risk to the nation's livestock. Dr Auty questioned how AQIS could set up a net against the potential spread of diseases such as blue tongue, Rift Valley fever, sheep pox and infestations by screw worm flies.
Dr Auty said the sheep should be slaughtered and disposed of at sea, or else Australia would throw out its zero-tolerance quarantine policy. The Federal Government has already rejected the slaughter-at-sea option.
Another former senior government veterinary officer said it would be "irresponsible and dangerous" to allow the sheep back onto Australian soil.
AQIS said, however, there are proven measures in force to prevent the spread of diseases. Biosecurity Australia is conducting a risk assessment on the Cormo Express shipment.
The Age, 2/10/03.
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