Australia insists sheep are fit for consumption
Australian High Commissioner says sheep inspected by Australian government; assessed to meet international standards.
ISLAMABAD:
Australian authorities on Monday categorically denied accusations of exporting diseased sheep to Pakistan and maintained scabby mouth was only a “common and minor” ailment.
“The confusion around the delivery of a consignment of live sheep to Pakistan earlier this month is unfortunate, as is the suggestion that Australia would export diseased or inferior animals that would not be consumed at home,” said a statement issued by Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward.
He maintained the livestock delivered to Pakistan were inspected by the Australian government and assessed to meet international standards. “The animals were certified for export and met Pakistan’s animal health requirements for imported sheep.”
Heyward said the same ship that carried the sheep to Pakistan also delivered sheep to Muscat in Oman and Doha in Qatar, where they were unloaded without incident and are being processed.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2012.
Australian authorities on Monday categorically denied accusations of exporting diseased sheep to Pakistan and maintained scabby mouth was only a “common and minor” ailment.
“The confusion around the delivery of a consignment of live sheep to Pakistan earlier this month is unfortunate, as is the suggestion that Australia would export diseased or inferior animals that would not be consumed at home,” said a statement issued by Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward.
He maintained the livestock delivered to Pakistan were inspected by the Australian government and assessed to meet international standards. “The animals were certified for export and met Pakistan’s animal health requirements for imported sheep.”
Heyward said the same ship that carried the sheep to Pakistan also delivered sheep to Muscat in Oman and Doha in Qatar, where they were unloaded without incident and are being processed.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2012.