The Australian government has said the exporter responsible for a shipment of more than 15,000 Australian sheep and cattle that have been stranded off the WA coast during a heatwave, delayed its application to re-export the animals.
The ship had been languishing off the Perth coast for several days, sparking concern for the welfare of the livestock.
The federal regulator for live export, the Department of Agriculture, said it ordered the MV Bahijah to return to Australia on January 12, amid concerns about escalating attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
The ship arrived back off the coast of Western Australia on Monday.
Since then the animals have remained on board while the exporter's application to send them back to the Middle East on a 33-day journey is evaluated.
The regulator has come under fire for the delay but a government spokesperson has now revealed the exporter's application to send the animals back was only filed last Friday, 14 days after the ship was told to turn back.
WAFarmers has called for federal agriculture minister Murray Watt to resign over the delay but his office says he can't legally intervene.
"Under the law the independent regulator, a departmental officer, is responsible for all decision-making regarding live animal exports," the spokesman said.
"It would be illegal for the minister to get involved as Mr [WAFarmers president John] Hassell has suggested and would leave all decisions open to legal challenge."
Mr Hassell said Mr Watt has failed to represent the agriculture industry and had not responded to an invitation to meet in Perth.
"I think it's probably time that he stepped down," Mr Hassell said.
"He's been giving us a very wide berth, and I think, you know, an Ag Minister is supposed to be advocating in favour of agriculture, and he has been anti-agriculture, and it's pretty disappointing."
He questioned why the department still had not come to a decision.
"They've had all the information in front of them," he said.
"I think they've just been just too frightened to make a decision in case in case it all turns pear-shaped.
"That's not a good animal welfare outcome."
The vessel berthed at Fremantle Port today around 4am at North Quay and has since been spotted heading back out to sea.
'No significant animal health issues'
While it remains unclear whether any animals will be removed before the ship departs again, the federal Department of Agriculture has confirmed no livestock need to be offloaded for welfare reasons.
Two independent veterinarians boarded the ship yesterday to examine the animals.
Australia's chief veterinary officer Beth Cookson said their report concluded no major signs of health or environmental concerns for the animals.
"While I have only seen a preliminary report, there were no significant animal health or welfare issues identified," Dr Cookson said.
"That provides additional confidence that the livestock are in good condition and have appropriate care and supervision.
"It also confirmed that there were no signs of exotic disease present in the livestock on board the vessel."
The department said the ship was being replenished with supplies ahead of its possible departure following discussions with the exporter.
The exporter, Israel-based Bassem Dabbah, earlier flagged a plan with the department to remove some of the animals to create more space on board, before sending them back out on a longer journey that would avoid the Red Sea.
Doctor Holly Ludeman from the Livestock Collective agriculture group said the ship's onboard veterinarian had not reported any animal welfare concerns.
"I've been in communication with the veterinarian on board and the sheep and cattle are in good health and welfare," she said.
"The reports are going back to the federal government every day, and the appropriate systems are being put in place."
Ship berths amid heatwave
The berthing of the vessel comes as Perth faces another day of sweltering weather.
Temperatures in the city exceeded 41 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, the hottest reading in more than two years.
Perth reached a maximum of 42.6C just after 11am on Thursday.
Dr Cookson said all would be done to safeguard the wellbeing of the livestock.
"There is an intensive effort occurring across a range of expert and regulatory areas within the Australian government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry," she said.
"Those involved in government and industry are very conscious of the need to move quickly while working through these arrangements."
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