The state government has confirmed it has dropped the animal cruelty charges against live sheep exporter Emanuel Exports over the death of thousands of sheep in 2017.
The state government has confirmed it has dropped the animal cruelty charges against live sheep exporter Emanuel Exports over the death of thousands of sheep in 2017.
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development today confirmed that it would not pursue the prosecution of Emanuel Exports and two of its former directors over the death of 2,400 sheep onboard a vessel from Fremantle bound for the Middle East in 2017.
The company and its former directors were due to stand trial this month to face 16 counts of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act after they were charged in 2019.
Emanuel Exports, Graham Daws and Michael Stanton all pleaded not guilty.
DPIRD said the decision took into account the “complexity of the case”, the public cost of a trial, the administration sanction already incurred by the company and changes to operating practices made by the company to prevent similar incidents occurring in the future.
“After considering all circumstances and available facts in preparation for the trial, DPIRD has decided that it is not in the public interest to continue with the prosecution,” DPIRD said in a statement.
“All charges against the company and its directors have been discontinued in the Perth Magistrates Court today.”
The 2,400 sheep deaths occured after the animals suffered from heat stress while on board tthe Awassi Express more than five years ago.
Video footage later surfaced depicting the conditions onboard the company's livestock carrier.
Emanuel Exports had its live export licences cancelled in 2018, including that of its sister company, but was later restored in 2021.
Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said she was disappointed by the decision.
“I’m advised that the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development made the difficult decision to discontinue the case based on legal advice from the State Solicitor’s office,” she said.
“I am disappointed by this decision, but lawyers advise it was in the best interest of WA taxpayers.
“This case was complex - the animal welfare breaches happened on the high seas beyond the state’s jurisdictional limits and there was no guarantee of a conviction.
“By proceeding with it, millions of dollars of taxpayer money would have been put at risk.”
Ms Jarvis said despite the case being dropped, the prosecution had resulted in measures being implemented to improve animal welfare.
“That video onboard the Awassi Express was horrifying and the farmers that I know were shocked by the case. They would not want their sheep to suffer like that.
“However, as a direct result of this case a range of measures have been implemented, including the northern summer export ban, which has improved animal welfare on live export ships.
“I know how important animal welfare is to Western Australians and the Cook government strives to ensure that all animals receive appropriate standards of care.”
