Fate of thousands of sheep and cattle on live export ship yet to be decided [Video]

The fate of thousands of sheep and cattle on board a livestock export vessel in Western Australia is yet to be decided.

The Department of Agriculture says it is considering a range of factors ahead of its decision, but both farmers and animal activists are criticising the delay.

The vessel left Freemantle on January 5 en route to the Middle East; a few weeks later, the ship was ordered to return to Australia due to security concerns in the Red Sea.

“My department has an obligation to consider all relevant information from a range of sources on complex issues relating to export legislation, animal welfare considerations, and the requirements of our international trading partners,” Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Secretary Adam Fennessy said.

“It is a complex process, and this is a unique situation.”

The vessel was resupplied with essentials and went through a routine clean on Thursday evening.