Company embroiled in sheep export scandal has licence suspended

The company in the eye of the storm of the live sheep export scandal has had a second export licence suspended.

The Agriculture Department overnight suspended the licence of EMS Rural, a sister company of Emanuel Exports, after it applied for a permit to ship tens of thousands of sheep to the Middle East.

Emanuel Exports had its licence suspended after 60 Minutes60 Minutes, and the deaths of thousands of livestock from overheating, lack of water and food.

The department rejected the permit bid, because EMS Rural is an "associated entity" of Emanuel.

Its ship has been docked at Fremantle port, awaiting the approval.

The department said it couldn't go into details, pending an investigation, but said the animals remained in a registered feedlot, in good health, and were being well-cared for.

Emanuel Exports released a statement saying it would “co-operate fully” with the investigation.

“It is not appropriate to provide any further public comment until the department has completed its review,” director Nicholas Daws said.

Industry lobby groups, including the National Farmers’ Federation, said it didn’t know the reasons for the suspension.

“We have been firm in our calls for the independent regulator to enforce the regulations exporters are required to operate within, and entrust the regulator with this process,” their joint statement said.

“The welfare of the animals during shipping is the absolute priority.”

But, they said, the suspension added to the “significant uncertainty” in the West Australian sheep industry, and called on all sides to resolve the issues.