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Sheep ship fire delays supplies
7 Oct 2003
A fire on board the MV Cormo Express has delayed plans for its 53,000 sheep. The fire broke out on board on October 5, when the ship was docked in Kuwait to take on supplies.
The Federal Government was expected to decide today whether to bring the sheep home, but the deadline has been postponed as the fire delayed efforts to load additional feed. More than two-thirds of 1,150 tonnes of fodder had been loaded, and reprovisioning should be completed by late on October 8.
The Government still hopes to offload the sheep in the Middle East, with an independent veterinarian's report clearing the animals of any diseases.
At least 4,000 sheep have died on board the MV Cormo Express since August 6. The Australian Democrats will table a petition in Parliament this week calling for an end to live trade - worth $1 billion a year to Australian farmers.
Herald Sun, 7/10/03, page 25.
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