Different government, same department of ag!

How could it be that ag departments the world over care so little for animals and so much for trade? The South African government allowed the Shuwaikh to sail after all....even knowing it will be banned from the Australian trade in a few months due to its double tiers.

NSPCA threw everything at it in an attempt to stop it. They even engaged Dr. Shaun Morris, an experienced veterinarian and feedlot expert in South Africa, to inspect the vessel. Maritime Executive quotes Dr Morris as saying: “Having had an opportunity to attend the unloading on the Al Shuwaikh on Thursday evening and having been granted access to the vessel itself, it was evident that the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s (DALRRD) lack of concern and more importantly, their absence at the loading point as well as on the vessel (save for short periods of time), is of serious concern,” said Morris. The NSPCA asked Morris to describe this shipment, and others like it. His response was “disaster.”

In a telling comment he apparently stated: “I would describe the role of DALRRD as nothing more than window dressing.” Welcome to our world Dr Morris.

See more: maritime-executive.com/article/the-al-shuwaikh-departs-south-africa