An analysis of how the 3-4 month halt to live sheep exports to the Middle East in both 2018 and 2019 affected people and businesses involved in the trade, particularly in Western Australia.

The project, carried out by Mecardo, involved interviews with more than 60 participants along the supply chain, a desktop analysis of the impact on revenue, and analysis of sheep delivery rates following changes to regulations and management practices over the past 18 months.

Mortality levels on live sheep shipments in 2019 were half the five year average for each month, which is put down to changes to shipping practices during and since 2018, including reduced stocking densities and the introduction of Independent Observers as well as the moratorium.