Livestock exporting company Wellard Rural Exports says one of its boats in the Middle East is experienced unloading delays.
Unloading sheep from trucks for export to the Middle East. | Photographer: (Belinda Varischetti)
In a written statement, the company says the sheep on board "were prepared by Wellard and inspected and certified for export by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service in accordance with health conditions agreed between the Australian and Bahrain Governments".
The company says the sheep have been inspected "in-port" by an independent veterinarian approved by the Bahrain Government.
"Sheep from the same consignment were successfully discharged in two other markets without incident before the vessel arrived in Bahrain," Wellard said.
"Wellard is now working through the current issue with its importer, Bahraini Livestock Company, which is the legal owner of the cargo, the Bahrain Government and the Australian Government.
"Animal welfare will remain the prime focus of those discussions."
The Federal Agriculture Department says it's working with the exporter to "expedite the discharge of the animals".
The department says a DAFF veterinarian is monitoring the health of the animals and fodder and water are available to the sheep.