By Praveen Menon
WELLINGTON, Sept 11 (Reuters) - New Zealand on Friday
launched a review of its livestock exports by sea, after a ship
that left its shores with nearly 6,000 cows and 43 crew members
capsized off Japan last week.
Gulf Livestock 1, which left Napier Port last month bound
for China sank after Typhoon Maysak lashed the area with strong
winds and heavy seas.
Japan's coastguards have suspended search operations, after
two crewmen were rescued while another died after being found
unconscious. Thirty-six Filipino crew members, as well as two
New Zealanders and two Australians are still missing.
New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said
livestock exporters must obtain an Animal Welfare Export
Certificate (AWEC) and meet certain conditions for export before
animals leave New Zealand.
The independent review will look at assurances it receives
when it considers an application for export of livestock by sea,
it said.
The MPI said the current suspension of cattle livestock
exports that was put in place after the incident will remain
until the review was completed, which is expected to take about
a month.
"At the heart of our decision to temporarily suspend cattle
livestock exports is a commitment to helping ensure people and
animals on livestock export boats are safe," MPI said in a
statement.
“We are working closely with exporters, who have provided
assurances that animals currently on pre-export isolation farms
are in good condition and well looked after.”
UAE-based Gulf Navigation, which owned the vessel, said in
a statement on Thursday that it was carrying cattle destined to
join the Chinese dairy farming and breeding programme.