NT: Sheep could still be unloaded in Saudi Arabia: Vaile

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NT: Sheep could still be unloaded in Saudi Arabia: Vaile

Trade Minister MARK VAILE says a shipload of 57,000 Australian sheep stranded off SaudiArabia could still be unloaded there.

Australia yesterday suspended shipments of livestock to Saudi Arabia -- worth $195million a year -- after Saudi Arabia rejected the MV Cormo Express shipment because somesheep had scabby mouth.

Mr VAILE says the deadlock over the shipment is closer to being resolved.

But he says Australia won't resume shipments of livestock to Saudi Arabia until thereare protocols in place regarding the export of live sheep and cattle.

Mr VAILE says he's hopeful the sheep can still be unloaded in Saudi Arabia.

He says Australian authorities are currently in discussions with the Saudis and there'sa belief that the sheep will either be unloaded in Saudi Arabia or one of the other PersianGulf state ports.

AAP RTV km/mg/de/smb/rp

KEYWORD: SHEEP (DARWIN)