Animal rights activists have halted live cattle shipments from Brazil after making a case to the nation’s Federal Court.
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The suspension was imposed last week and initially confined to one vessel, but according to big Australian-based livestock exporter Wellard, preliminary reports suggest since Friday all live cattle movements have been put on hold.
Brazil exports about 600,000 head annually, mostly to other South American buyers and the Middle East.
Wellard currently has no cattle contracted for live export from Brazil, but has been operating ships from that part of South America since 2011.
The Federal Court injunction is believed to be principally related to concerns about the treatment of exported cattle.
The affected party was challenging the move
An application was made by animal rights group the National forum for Protection and Animal Defence.
In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) Wellard said its live cattle trade from other South American countries was unaffected.
Operations executive director, Fred Troncone, said the company was monitoring the situation in Brazil but was considering alternative sources for cattle supply if the ban became drawn out.
“We are hopeful this current issue will be resolved in the short term so Brazil can begin exporting cattle again,” he said.
“It is important to note Wellard operates in multiple counties so expects it would be able to mitigate the effect of a protracted suspension in Brazil should it occur.
“Wellard will talk to its clients regarding the sourcing of cattle from alternative supplier countries should it become necessary to make up any shortfall from Brazil.”
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Andrew Marshall
Andrew Marshall is the group agribusiness writer for ACM's state agricultural weeklies and websites. He is a former editor at The Land and has worked in various Rural Press group roles in Canberra, North Richmond (NSW) and Toowoomba (Qld).
Andrew Marshall is the group agribusiness writer for ACM's state agricultural weeklies and websites. He is a former editor at The Land and has worked in various Rural Press group roles in Canberra, North Richmond (NSW) and Toowoomba (Qld).
