Sydney, Australia, Feb 5 (EFE).- Australia rejected Israel’s request on Monday to re-export thousands of cattle stranded at sea for weeks due to the Red Sea crisis.

The Australian agricultural ministry said it was not satisfied with the transportation arrangements, as it did not guarantee the health and welfare of the livestock on board.

The ministry said it would publish more information on the reasons for the decision, leaving an option open for the exporting company, the Israeli Bassem Dabbah, to present a new application.

“The livestock on the vessel continue to be in good health and they remain under veterinary care and supervision,” the ministry said, adding that the next steps must be decided by the exporting company.

The ship, MV Bahijah, loaded with 14,000 sheep and 2,000 cattle set sail from Australia to Israel on Jan.5, on a route passing through the Red Sea.

But on Jan. 20, halfway through the journey, Australian authorities ordered the ship to return due to the risk of attacks by Yemen’s Houthis against merchant ships in retaliation for Israel’s war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli company submitted a new export request on Jan. 26 with a new route around Africa that would take 33 days to reach Israel, which was rejected on Monday.

Australia is a major exporter of live cattle to Israel, among other Middle Eastern and Asian countries, as one of its key markets.

In 2023, the government said it is preparing a law to phase out live sheep export by sea, though the initiative is in the consultation phase, it is not expected to be rolled out until 2025. EFE

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