Abstract

The export of live sheep by sea to the Middle East is an area of public concern due, in part, to the high death rates on some voyages, and to the perceptions of poor animal welfare during transport. This paper review the history of sea transport of sheep, the practice, investigations, welfare guidelines, and management progress in the New Zealand live sheep trade. A recent study of sheep exported to the Middle East has identified important behavioural indicators of stress and welfare. The results of this study have led to the implementation of new management systems to meet the identified behavioural characteristics and requirements of British breed sheep. Voyage mortalities consistently less than 1% in sheep transported from NZ to the Middle East can be expected.

TC, Reid, and AC Monigatti

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 50, , 487-488, 1990