Pakistan resumes Australian sheep culling: Officials
The Sindh High Court last month halted the culling of 21,000 Australian sheep after 7,600 of the animals had already been killed in a dispute over whether or not they were sick.
The shipment of sheep arrived in Pakistan after being turned away by Bahrain, and livestock officials ordered them to be culled after they tested positive for salmonella and actinomyces bacteria.
Samples from the sheep were sent to a British laboratory and came back clean, clearing the meat for human consumption, but municipal officials in Karachi rejected the tests.
Abdu Hafeez Shaikh, who heads the city's veterinary services, told AFP that authorities had resumed culling the 11,300 sheep on Friday on orders from the government.
"So far, we have culled over 1,500 sheep since this morning. It could take two or three days to complete," he said.
A spokesman said the Australian High Commission in Islamabad was shocked by the move.
"We're surprised, we're shocked by what is apparently the resumption of the culling and we're trying to find out what is happening," he told AFP.
The Australian High Commissioner Peter Heyward had on Thursday issued a statement welcoming a settlement which he said would allow the Australian merino sheep to be processed as intended after independent tests confirmed the animals were fit for human consumption.
The incident has renewed calls for a total end to Australia's live export trade, which is worth about US$1 billion a year and employs around 10,000 people.
Australia suspended live cattle exports to Indonesia for a month last year after a television documentary revealed mistreatment inside its abattoirs, only reinstating the trade under a strict new licensing system.
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the importer almost won the case in High Court.However powerful elements blackmailed him and have resumed its agenda of culling.The media this time has been restrained by these elements.I urge media to bring forth truth behind this act of animal cruelty.
My reseach student once told me that if I tell you about the state of animals which we pass for consumption you will stop eating any meat in pak! The sheep were cleared by British lab so what is the fuss. These sheep pose much less risk to life than the local ones. I even heard on news that Govt. offered to buy them from the importer.
My friend who works in the industry says many goats and sheep in Karachi and neighboring districts have been infected. Please stop consumption of mutton for at least 6 months.
Scabby mouth disease may reduce the value of the sheep but they are still suitable for consumption -- why not just give the sheep to the poor? What a waste.
This is a case of Bhutta Mafia and its influence on a section of media. Govt of Sindh sided with them and is now showing its Raj Hut.