Live exports to Bahrain to resume

Australian sheep will be exported to Bahrain again after the federal government secured a deal to ensure animal health standards.

Australia has not exported sheep to Bahrain since it rejected 20,000 for having scabby mouth in 2012.

Their eventual cull in Pakistan provoked outrage among animal welfare activists.

On Friday, Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce announced the Australian and Bahraini governments had reached an agreement on animal health protocols so the trade could resume.

Bahrain has provided "assurances" on scabby mouth disease and the unloading of sheep.

The government has also scrapped a requirement for non-legally binding agreements with import countries to be signed before Australian livestock can be exported.

Mr Joyce said reversing the decision, which was introduced under Labor, would cut red tape.

Existing agreements won't be affected but there will be no requirements going forward.

Mr Joyce is also reportedly in talks with Iran to resume live exports.

But discussions with Saudi Arabia have stalled amid some difficulties in getting importers to accept the terms and conditions of Australian live export regulations.