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Sheep to shore ... finally
27 Oct 2003
The MV Cormo Express saga ended on Friday October 24, 2003, when the 50,000-plus sheep began being unloaded at the Eritrean port of Massawa. By Saturday, 20 truckloads of the animals had been unloaded. The deal includes the sheep as a gift, plus $1 million and 3,000 tones of fodder.
The Federal Opposition's primary industries spokesman, Kerry O'Brien, said Labor will pursue the Government over the cost of the "debacle" and claims that Agriculture Minister, Warren Truss, has underestimated the cost, at $10 million, by at least $6 million. Labor will also press for a full independent inquiry into the live meat trade. New protocols are urgently needed to ensure a similar episode does not occur again.
Mr Truss conceded that various checks and balances had failed and said the Government will work with the live trade industry to create a more reliable set of protocols. Revised fall-back plans are needed to ensure the welfare of animals, Mr Truss stated. In the past, there have been no problems in placing rejected shipments into other countries but these options were closed on this occasion.
The Sun-Herald, 26/10/03.
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