AGRICULTURAL NEWS - An inspection that was carried out on behalf of the Red Meat Industry Forum (RMIF) found that the feedlot facilities being used to keep sheep destined for live export by sea, and the ship that will be used to transport the animals to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, were in compliance with World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) standards for animal health and welfare.
The inspection was done by two veterinary health and welfare experts, according to a joint statement issued by Agri SA’s president, Pierre Vercueil, and Red Meat Producers’ Organisation (RPO) chairperson, Koos van der Ryst.
“In [the experts’] opinion, both the ship and feedlot are compliant. The RPO, as a member of the RMIF, has been furnished with documentation and reports relating to the previous two [live sheep] shipments [undertaken] by Al Mawashi from South Africa. Government officials tasked with ensuring [animal health and welfare] compliance have indicated in these reports that the OIE standards have been complied with,” they said.
