Can VALE do an inspection of Ocean Outback, Mr Schmidt?

6/1/2016

Dear Mr Schmidt,
In September 2015, you made an invitation to VALE:
"At any time that VALE would like professional and accurate data regarding any of our voyages, they simply have to ask.
Alan Schmidt - Managing Director Otway Livestock Exports."

In light of that offer, VALE would like to ask that one of our experienced representatives be allowed to perform a veterinary inspection of the loaded Ocean Outback.

If this is not possible, could you please let us know:
a) if any washdowns of the cattle decks have been undertaken?
b) are ammonia concentrations being monitored?
c) what is happening with carcasses?

We would contact you directly but an email address and phone contact have not been provided to us.
Yours sincerely
VALE

9 Comments

Anne-Marie Ryan

6/1/2016 04:52:51 pm

Love to know the answers to these questions pls?

Alan Schmidt

6/1/2016 07:08:45 pm

Dear VALE,

It will be Otway's pleasure to offer a visit to the Ocean Outback, we are proud of the way our livestock are managed. The vessel is about (tonight Wed) to go to sea to wash down, it should be back late Friday. Can I suggest an inspection possible Saturday or Sunday subject to the vessels operations.

Ammonia levels are being monitored, hence the decision to wash to ensure that the levels are keep low. Carcasses are offloaded to shore in sealed bags and then disposed of.

Please contact me by email to arrange a suitable time to inspect.

VALE

7/1/2016 06:04:33 am

VALE appreciates this very generous offer and accepts the invitation.
We will email you directly to organise an appropriate time for the inspection.
Thank you very much.

Kay Reading

6/1/2016 10:35:42 pm

Do you have any idea of what the mortality rate could possibly reach on this trip and what is the "accepted" mortality rate? Also, please, who does the head count on disembarking and a will the numbers be true and correct?Is there opportunity to give a false count?

VALE

7/1/2016 06:07:12 am

The accepted mortality rate for a long-haul voyage is <1%. The mortality rate for this particular voyage (or any other voyage) cannot be estimated.

Caroline link

7/1/2016 06:41:56 am

Not allowing independent vets on board smacks of a cover up.
Something's not right here.

VALE

7/1/2016 01:00:26 pm

Both VALE and the AVA advocate independent vets onboard all ships regardless of length of voyage.
However, to this company's credit, VALE is being allowed an inspection of this particular vessel in port.

Alan Schmidt

7/1/2016 01:45:29 pm

Otway Livestock Exports (OLE) have invited VALE, and VALE have accepted an invitation to visit and inspect the vessel over the weekend.

OLE's mortalities have always been less than .25 of 1% on long haul voyages.
During the current process (Ocean Outback) Government vets have been on the vessel each day - there are no animal welfare or health issues.
All deaths are reported daily when and if they happen. All stock counts are confirmed at completion.

peter kerkenezov

9/1/2016 03:35:34 am

Who is (are) the independent veterinarian(s) to embark and inspect ship and animals?

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Can VALE do an inspection of Ocean Outback, Mr Schmidt?

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