EXPORTS of live animals from Argentina will resume after the country repealed a more than 50-year-old banning order.

The Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Secretariat of the Ministry of Economy announced yesterday that Decree 322/1973 had been repealed, meaning live exports could resume in South America’s second-biggest economy.

The ministry said the move follows the government’s bid to create an economic system “based on free decisions” and the free market. 

Livestock exports are a “significant” source of foreign currency, the ministry said, and the free development of the industry would improve national breeds and “national prestige”. The repealing of the 1973 decree will allow Argentinian producers to better compete in the livestock market, according to the government.

Argentina is swimming against the global tide with its move to reinstate live exports. Other important markets, such as Australia, the UK and New Zealand have recently moved to ban the practice.

The livestock carrier fleet attracts more port state control inspections, per fleet size, than any other vessel type. The carriers themselves are often converted from other vessel types and are considered high risk to insurers, thanks to their often-elderly age and questionable condition.

Several high-profile incidents recently have revealed the poor conditions animals can be subjected to on these ships, including that of the Israel-owned 13,000 gt Bahijah (IMO: 9360788), which was forced to divert from its usual route through the Red Sea, exposing some 8,000 sheep on board to three months at sea. The incident was widely condemned by animal rights groups in Australia and Israel.

Many reputable owners of livestock carriers, such as Australia’s Wellard Group, have exited the trade completely amid growing international pressure and export bans.

They and other smaller operators will surely watch closely to see if Argentina remains an outlier, or if it’s joined by other markets in repealing long fought-for bans.