Live sheep shipments face criticism
Kuwait-based livestock trading company Al Mawashi is facing criticism in South Africa because of the conditions under which it is transporting live sheep.
The company set up a subsidiary in South Africa last year, through which it has sourced nearly 60,000 sheep from 150 local farmers so far, shipping them live to the Middle East for slaughter.
Animal protection agencies in South Africa have begun questioning the conditions the animals experience during shipment and have asked for veterinarians to be allowed to inspect ships before they leave the port of East London, or even stay on board for duration of the journey.
Local reports say Al Mawashi has resisted these suggestions, claiming the mortality rate among the sheep it has transported so far is below the international benchmark of 0.2%.
