AUSTRALIAN LIVE SHEEP EXPORTS MAY RECOMMENCE WITH NEW GOVT PLAN.

CANBERRA, Nov 1 Asia Pulse - A new plan designed to curb high sheep stock losses, unveiled by federal Agriculture Minister Warren Truss, may lead to the resumption of live exports to the Middle East from Portland, Victoria.

The government and sheep exporters agreed to halt live sheep exports from Portland earlier this month after about 2,300 sheep died on a shipment to the Middle East.

The September voyage of the Al Shuwaikh recorded a mortality rate of 3.08 per cent of the 74,740 sheep, the fifth shipment in three months to record a loss above the two per cent maximum.

Labor called for a full inquiry into Australia's A$1 billion (US$555 million) live animal export trade to end turmoil in the industry.

China earlier this month banned Australian cattle imports, an unresolved problem heightening the turmoil.

But Mr Truss said the government's new action plan would help ensure the long-term sustainability of the live export trade.

"Live animal exports are especially important to rural communities, generating A$920 million in export earnings, but this significant trade can only be continued if animal welfare issues are appropriately assured," he said.