Australia orders the return of a ship carrying livestock due to unrest in the Red Sea

Australia's Department of Agriculture said the exporter was ordered to immediately return the animals to Australia to ensure their HEALTH and welfare.

The livestock are on board the Bahija, which departed the port of Fremantle in Western Australia for Aqaba, Jordan, on January 5.

The Australian government is committed to phasing out the EXPORT of sheep by sea to improve animal welfare. This decision was made after cases of livestock deaths during transportation.

The live sheep trade has declined over the past 20 years. Australia exported only about 1.2 million sheep in 2022 , down 90% from 2000.

The decision to return the Bahija has received mixed reactions from farmers and exporters. Some supported the government's decision, saying it was necessary to protect animal welfare. Others criticized the government, saying it was interfering with businesses.

Australian Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said the government was committed to protecting animal welfare and would continue to work to end the export of sheep by sea.