Live sheep carrier at Timaru

Press, 18 December 1985, Page 1

Live sheep carrier at Timaru

The live sheep carrier Merino Express berthed at Timaru yesterday afternoon and is due to start loading on Friday. The ship arrived at 2.15 p.m. and will take on fuel before moving to the North Mole wharf where the sheep will be loaded.

No extra security was visible as the ship berthed and it is expected that the sheep, which are bound for Mexico, will be loaded on Friday. The national secretary of the Meat Workers’ Union, Mr A. J. Kennedy, said he had received an assurance from the manager of Animal Enterprises, Mr Don Tate, that loading would not begin until Friday.

Between 50 and 100 union members from throughout New Zealand would peacefully protest 250 metres from the wharf where the sheep were being loaded, said Mr Kennedy. Meat workers throughout most of New Zealand would strike during the loading of the ship which was expected to take about 21 hours, he said.

Auckland meat workers went on strike yesterday and today as it was expected that loading would occur on these days, but bad weather had delayed the arrival of the Merino Express. Ewes destined for the export are being held on farms in Mayfield. Animal Enterprises had leased Mr Colin McKenzie’s farm at Millers Road for several years and some of the 18,000 head of ewes are being preconditioned before their voyage. While the Meat Workers’ Union may be concerned about the possible threat live sheep exports pose to members, the feeding (of pellets), drenching, and shearing of the big flock is providing some work for others.

Mayfield Transport has also picked up extra work making regular deliveries of pellets to the properties. A spokesman said yesterday that the supply of pellets had apparently run out It is believed a security firm is watching the flock.