A livestock export company linked to the disastrous Awassi Express voyage has had its licence suspended, leaving up to 60,000 sheep in limbo.
The federal Agriculture Department suspended Emanuel Exports' licence last month after revelations of thousands of animal deaths in sweltering conditions.
Now its "sister" entity, EMS Rural Exports, is believed to have been denied a permit to ship sheep to the Middle East.
In a statement, the department said the company remains responsible for the sheep, which are in a feedlot, and that veterinarians have determined they are in good health and well-cared for.
"The sheep have been inspected by the department’s veterinarians; they are in good health and well-cared for," a department spokesperson said.
Up to 60,000 sheep have been left in limbo because of the ban. Source: AAP
"Exporters are also responsible for ensuring they meet all animal welfare requirements imposed under Commonwealth and state law."
In June the government ordered Emanuel Exports to "show cause" why it should hold an export licence, kicking off a criminal investigation into the August shipment, on which thousands of sheep died from heat stress.
EMS Rural Exports' director Nicholas Daws is the son of former Emanuel Exports board member and exporter Graham Daws and EMS Rural Exports Pty Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of Emanuel Exports.
The two organisations share headquarters in West Perth.
Following last month's ruling, Mr Daws said the company would "co-operate fully" as the review took place.
