National group breaks rank over live export row

The nation’s peak farmers’ lobby group has rebuffed calls from its Western Australian counterpart, and its own deputy president, to sack Agriculture Minister Murray Watt over his handling of a livestock vessel that docked in Fremantle yesterday.

The MV Bahijah had spent about one month at sea with about 15,000 sheep and cattle on board after being ordered to return to Australia due to security concerns in the Red Sea.

Claims around the welfare of animals on board, initially amplified in the media, were found to be false, but were nonetheless used by animal activists to push the case to shut down live exports.

In light of the saga, WAFarmers president John Hassell today called for Mr Watt to be sacked.

“I think it's probably time that he stepped down,” Mr Hassell told ABC News.

“He's been giving us a very wide berth, and I think, you know, an ag minister is supposed to be advocating in favour of agriculture, and he has been anti-agriculture, and it's pretty disappointing.”

In a statement released on Friday, National Farmers Federation president David Jochinke said the body did not support the call to sack Mr Watt.

“In fact, we hope this situation demonstrates how robust Australia’s live export system is with animal welfare at the forefront,” he said.

“The situation surrounding the MV Bahijah livestock vessel is an extraordinary and complex situation that must carefully consider the health and wellbeing of the animals, Australia’s biosecurity status, export legislation and international trading partners.

“There are processes that must be followed and external complexities that must be considered, but we must now see a timely resolution to this matter.”

Mr Jochinke was elected president of the NFF last year, with Mr Hassell gaining the deputy president role.

He said the NFF supported the oversight of Australia’s chief veterinary officer Beth Cookson and condemned misinformation spread around the vessel.

The furore around the ship grew when it arrived off the Perth coast on Monday and spent three days afloat with its livestock onboard amid a heatwave.

Two independent veterinarians confirmed no livestock showed signs of health or environmental concerns.

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry secretary Adam Fennessy on Friday afternoon said the ship was taking on food and fuel ahead of a possible departure.

“The exporter’s registered veterinarian remains on board and continues to report daily on the health and welfare of the livestock,” he said.

“We are doing everything we can to resolve the situation and we will continue to release information and respond to inquiries until that time.”