Port denies triggering meat crisis
Aug 02, 2013 (Menafn – Gulf Daily News – McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) –PORT authorities have hit back at claims they were responsible for rejecting a consignment of meat that halted livestock imports from Australia.
The Australian government accused the country of breaching an animal welfare clause when it denied entry to a consignment of 21,000 sheep due to health concerns.
The animals ended up spending days at sea before eventually being taken to Pakistan, where they were brutally slaughtered.
A report by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry put the blame on Bahrain’s port authorities, saying the Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs Ministry and Bahrain Livestock Company were not responsible.
But the Transportation Ministry, which has jurisdiction over the Khalifa bin Salman and Mina Salman ports, said port officials did not take the controversial decision.
“The clearances for offloading livestock normally come from the concerned governmental authorities (Quarantine Division, which is under the Municipalities and Agriculture Affairs Ministry and Customs Affairs at the Interior Ministry),” said a spokeswoman.
“In such cases, the Transportation Ministry’s Ports and Maritime Affairs always takes the necessary action by co-ordinating with the relevant government and private entities to ensure smooth handling of livestock.”
The spokeswoman said the ministry was working with the concerned authorities to end the animal trade dispute between Australia and Bahrain.
“The Transportation Ministry’s Ports and Maritime Affairs is currently working closely with the concerned governmental entities to overcome the current challenges,” they said.
“Safety and security is a top priority. All livestock are handled as per international best practices and the port operating company gives great attention and emphasis to safety and security measures that aim to prevent risks during handling.
“The discharge operation for the livestock was never stopped at Khalifa Bin Salman Port and the operations are still continuing.
“APM Terminals, the port operating company, gives safety and security regulations the highest priority especially when it comes to the procedures related to vessels carrying livestock.”
Bahrain has faced a series of meat shortages since it turned away the shipment and now imports most of its livestock from Somalia, which costs substantially more. ahmed@gdn.com.bh
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