The vessel personnel consists of the captain and senior officers, engineers, electricians, catering personnel and deck hands/stock people. Vessels have 1 dedicated crew member per 2000-3000 sheep. The Australian stock people and Australian accredited veterinarian are in addition to this. Everyone is working towards the common goal of high animal welfare. The top priorities are fresh water, clean feed, dry bedding and removal and treatment of any sick or injured sheep.

There is an Australian Accredited Veterinarian (AAV) on all long haul voyages with sheep to the middle east. These veterinarians will treat any sick animals and put them in hospital pens. If necessary any sick sheep will be euthanised. If any sheep are found deceased in the pens they are moved to regular points for the AAV to inspect and perform a post mortem.

Post mortems are normal part of disease investigation for a veterinarian. Knowing where the sheep was from on the deck and looking at its ear tag helps the veterinarian investigate the mortality and understand the cause of death and if there is any risk to other sheep.

Records of all sick and deceased sheep is entered into the daily report sent to the Australian Federal Government.

There is also an independent observer appointed by the Australian Federal Government on all voyages which provides another level of reporting to the federal authorities.

The vets role during the voyage is to follow the specific instructions provided to them by the exporter this is called an AEP. This AEP outlines the veterinarians responsibilities which comply with the Australian Standards of Export of Sheep (ASEL) and the specific exporters Approved Arrangements. The Veterinarian and their compliance with the AEP is audited by Federal Government Independent Observers during a voyage. 

For more information on the regulatory framework and requirements please see the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources:  http://www.agriculture.gov.au/export/controlled-goods/live-animals/sheep

“As an AAV my daily routine involves a walk around the decks, monitoring environmental conditions and health and welfare of sheep. I will talk with the stock people on each deck to understand if they have any concerns. The stock people get to know their animals and are quick to highlight any concerns for us to work through” Dr Peta Lewis

The Veterinarian will be present at the daily meeting each day to give an update on any health and welfare issues and work with the Captain and Chief Officer and Australian Stockperson. The AAV collates information from each daily meeting and the deck inspections into a daily report provided to the federal government.

In most Middle East markets, slaughter is done without stunning because of religious requirements.  However it is carried out quickly & humanely.  
All Australian sheep in overseas markets takes place in facilities which have been independently audited and approved by the Australian Government.

Exporters also have consultants that work in the market to support importers compliance with ESCAS.

Where possible, Australia strongly promotes the use of stunning in our importing countries.

When an exporter and importer have made a contract, buyers will approach agents and farmers to fill the specific order. This order will specify the type and class of sheep required and outline the requirements farmers must meet to ensure sheep are prepared for export appropriately.  Buyers will inspect the sheep on farm and select those suitable for export.  They are then transported to the pre export quarantine feedlots.

Once sheep are yarded on farm the weights are used to calculate the space required for truck loading. Each deck of the truck is carefully loaded and gates closed. This prevents sheep from over-crowding and provides a safe transport environment. Too loose and too tight is not ideal, the truck driver carefully prepares and plans his loads in line with the road transport guidelines to ensure every animal is delivered in good condition.

As sheep arrive from farms into quarantine they are inspected against the buying requirements.   Any sheep not suitable are immediately removed and rejected from the export consignment. Any rejected sheep are marked, treated if required and kept separate from other sheep in quarantine.

After receival into the quarantine feedlot, sheep will be drafted (separated) into groups based on weights, sex and breed so ‘like with like’ sheep are together. This is required for careful planning and preparation of the vessels load plan. During drafting any sheep with wool length longer than 20 - 25mm will be removed and shorn. The drafting process also allows for further separation of any sheep not suitable for export.

Sheep are kept in their drafted lines in sheds or paddocks and provided access to the same feed they will be provided on the vessel.