An Australian animal rights group has called on the federal regulator of the controversial live-export trade to prosecute exporters after revelations of high mortality rates on four ships last year.

Delays in letter of credit (L/C) procedures may have been a contributory factor leading to the deaths of goats on one of the ships the group says.

Investigations

Animals Australia, which describes itself as a national animal protection group, says it obtained investigation reports on four export shipments that resulted in a high number of animal deaths.

The reports revealed that cattle, sheep and goats in these shipments died as a result of disease, overcrowding and insufficient food according to the group.

Delays

It says that an investigation report on the ship Buffalo Express, which carried 1,700 goats to Asia in January, showed that 23 goats died in port at Geraldton when departure was delayed by a week due to "commercial problems with the letter of credit".

The goats were kept on board ship at the western Australian port for 7 days before the ship sailed according to Animals Australia.

Breach of conditions

The delay in departure was probably in breach of the conditions of the export permit, according to the animal protection group.

It says that that live animal export permits require that, unless there is a special dispensation, live animals must leave Australia within 72 hours after a permit is granted.

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