Vessel from Romania carrying 13,000 heads of sheep denied entry after 40% found dead

AMMAN — The Ministry of Agriculture on Wednesday sent back a vessel carrying 13,000 heads of sheep from Romania, after 40 per cent of the animals were found dead, according to an official.

The ministry’s veterinarians discovered that 5,200 heads of sheep were dead as the technical teams were carrying out regular inspection of the animals to ensure they were free of diseases before allowing them into the Kingdom, Agriculture Ministry Spokesperson Nimer Haddadin told The Jordan Times.

“The veterinarians inspected a sample of the dead sheep and found that they were free from any diseases, reporting that they died because the transporting company didn’t provide the animals with water and food,” Haddadin said.

The sheep, imported by a local trader, did not receive any water and food for eight days, he added.

“The shipment was denied entry altogether. We requested that the vessel turn back and dispose of the dead animals before allowing the healthy ones to enter the country.”

Jordan imports cattle and sheep mainly from Australia, followed by Romania and Sudan, according to the ministry.

In April, the ministry lifted an eight-month ban on the import of livestock from Romania, where bluetongue disease had been reported.

The decision to resume imports was announced after an Agriculture Ministry delegation concluded a visit to Romania and inspected the health condition of its livestock and after the country was declared free from bluetongue disease.