Secretary Adam Fennessy's address to media 2pm, 4 February 2024: MV Bahijah4 February 2024, 4:00pmGood afternoon everyone, thank you for coming.I've invited you here today to give you an update on the welfare of the livestock on board the MV Bahijah that is currently off the coast of Fremantle, Western Australia. I will update you on those animals that disembarked the vessel on Friday, and I will invite any additional questions from you on the issue.I am pleased to advise that daily reports from the veterinarian on board the vessel continue to indicate there are no significant health or welfare concerns with the livestock that remain on board the vessel.In respect of the livestock that were successfully discharged from the vessel on Friday night at the request of the exporter, these animals are being held under strict biosecurity controls at appropriate premises. Veterinarians visited the livestock yesterday and the Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson, is in regular contact with the Western Australian Chief Veterinary Officer in respect of the livestock.At this time no final decision has been made by my department officials with respect to the livestock on the MV Bahijah. The department continues to assess the application to re-export the livestock provided by the exporter as a matter of priority. I want to emphasise that my department makes decisions on the basis of the application of the commercial exporter, taking into account all legislative requirements and relevant information.We understand the strong interest in the issue – both from a biosecurity and from an animal health and welfare perspective. My department must make complex decisions for this unique situation that balance export legislation, biosecurity requirements, animal welfare considerations and the requirements of our international trading partners.Right now, the ship is currently off the West Australian coast and is undertaking some routine cleaning. It is adequately provisioned for the livestock on board.We have been asked about why the decision is taking so long?The legislation that our department is responsible for is very clear as to what the decision maker must consider and the process by which it must be considered.The legislation sets out what the decision-maker must consider and be satisfied of in order to approve an application for export, including:The legislative requirements have been met, including those in the Export Control Act and Animals Rules.That importing country requirements have been or will be met before the livestock are imported into the importing country, for example, if an import permit is required and has or will be been obtained.Arrangements for the voyage are appropriate to ensure the health and welfare of the livestock.The process for making the decision requires the decision-maker to:Carefully consider all relevant information to the decision, which can involve substantial amounts of information from a variety of sources and must be updated as circumstances change, especially information submitted to us by the commercial exporter.Provide the commercial exporter with procedural fairness, including giving the exporter time to consider and respond to certain types of information.Ensure that the department's decision maker has satisfied any procedural and other requirements in the legislation in order to make a lawful decision, such as providing a notice of decision in writing.There's been a report that the animals that have been unloaded will be processed in Victoria – is this correct?No, we have no information to support that proposition at this time. Any movement of the animals on Australian soil will be subject to appropriate biosecurity requirements to safeguard Australia's biosecurity.Update 3 February 20243 February 2024, 7:00 pmToday, as a further measure for the comfort of the livestock onboard, and to maintain high levels of animal welfare, the vessel has left port. This will enable routine cleaning which include replacing the livestock bedding.The exporter's registered veterinarian remains on board the vessel and will continue to report back to the department daily on the health and welfare of the livestock.The department continues to assess the application to re-export the livestock provided by the exporter. Once the decision has been made the department will issue a public statement with the outcome as soon as possible.*Further information will be published as it becomes available.General enquiries to the department can be made on 1800 900 090.*Further updateUpdate 3 February 20243 February 2024, 2:00 pmLast night, several hundred head of healthy cattle were successfully unloaded from the MV Bahijah at the request of the exporter.Department officials were present to ensure all biosecurity protocols were met. The cattle appear healthy and well. The cattle have been moved to appropriate premises where they are quarantining safely. There were no animal welfare issues associated with this unloading.This action is separate to the potential re-export of the remaining animals on the vessel. The department's decision maker is still considering the application.Further information will be published as it becomes available.General enquiries to the department can be made on 1800 900 090.Update 2 February 20242 February 2024, 10:00 pmThe exporter has requested permission to unload several hundred healthy cattle from the MV Bahijah.The department has agreed for the animals to be unloaded under strict biosecurity measures.This action is unrelated to the potential re-export of the remaining animals on the vessel. The department's decision maker is still considering the application.Further information will be published as it becomes available.Secretary Adam Fennessy's address to media 3pm, 2 February 2024: MV Bahijah2 February 2024, 4:25 pmGood afternoon everyone, thank you for coming. I am Adam Fennessy, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.I recognise the strong public interest in this issue, and I'd like to reassure everyone that we are working towards a resolution as quickly as possible.There should be no doubt that Australia's biosecurity and the health and welfare of the livestock onboard are our highest priorities.After standing offshore yesterday evening and replacing the animal bedding, the vessel has returned to port and is berthed in Fremantle.The vessel is taking on further provisions today, including additional fodder and fuel.The exporter's registered veterinarian remains on board and continues to report daily on the health and welfare of the livestock.My department continues to assess the application to re-export the livestock provided by the exporter.I'd like to provide some information on the process. The decision maker has an obligation to consider all relevant information, from a range of sources, on complex issues relating to:export legislationanimal welfare considerations andthe requirements of our international trading partners.It is a complex process, and this is a unique situation.We are doing everything we can to resolve the situation and we will continue to release information and respond to inquiries until that time.