Australian High Commission
Islamabad
Pakistan

Australian High Commission welcomes release of Australian sheep

AUSTRALIAN HIGH COMMISSION
ISLAMABAD

18 October 2012

Press Release

Australian High Commission welcomes release of Australian sheep

The Australian High Commissioner, Peter Heyward, today welcomed the settlement of proceedings in the Sindh High Court, which will allow approximately 11,000 Australian merino sheep exported to Pakistan to be processed as intended.

Independent international laboratory tests have confirmed the sheep are disease-free and fit for human consumption.

The sheep, which are now in the care of PK Livestock and Wellard Rural Exports, will move through the approved supply chain for processing, in line with international animal welfare standards.

“I am pleased that the Australian Government, Wellard Rural Exports, and PK Livestock’s position that the sheep are and always were healthy and fit for human consumption has been confirmed. It is unfortunate that this only occurred after the culling of approximately half of the flock at great cost to the importer”, said the High Commissioner.

“Australia is a world-renowned exporter of agricultural products, including live animals, and we take health and welfare issues extremely seriously in this trade. I am pleased that today Australia’s excellent reputation has been upheld.”

Australia’s two-way trade with Pakistan is approximately AU$600 million, and significant potential exists to increase this with improved trade in agriculture and agri-business. Australia’s agriculture trade with Pakistan consists of the export of seeds, grains and pulses, as well as high quality dairy breeding stock.
 

 

Contact: Melissa Kelly (051 8355346)