Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Business
Ethan James

Spirit ferry livestock transport to resume

Horse and livestock transport companies say they were blindsided by the suspension of services. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Livestock transportation on the Spirit of Tasmania ferry across Bass Strait will resume days after being put on ice following a court ruling over animal welfare breaches.

TT-Line formally announced on Saturday it had suspended all livestock transportation on legal advice after it was found guilty of breaches relating to the deaths of 16 polo ponies on a voyage in 2018.

Several horse and livestock transport companies said they were blindsided by the decision.

The Tasmanian government on Tuesday announced the ferry service would resume carrying livestock.

"We have agreed to implement an interim arrangement, using additional resources from Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, to support TT-Line to develop and implement procedures in the assessment of the suitability of horse transport vehicles," the state government said in a statement.

"The resumption of transport will come as a huge relief to many, particularly those in equestrian or horse racing, breeding and animal transport.

"This is an interim arrangement in place for at least a month while we complete further work on designing and implementing an ongoing process to ensure that this vital service continues."

Livestock transport will resume on Devonport ferry departures from Tuesday and on Geelong departures from Wednesday.

TT-Line was on Thursday found guilty in Burnie Magistrates Court of 29 animal welfare law breaches in relation to the ponies' deaths on a January night sailing.

They were among 18 horses travelling from Devonport to Melbourne in a converted refrigeration trailer.

Magistrate Leanne Topfer ruled the company made no inquiries to ensure the horses were individually stalled, per regulations, or ensure they had adequate ventilation.

She said the horses were placed in a clearly inadequately ventilated transport unit which was stationary for 10 hours on a warm evening.

"Sixteen horses were exposed to the risk of acute heat stress and asphyxiation and died from peracute respiratory failure," she said.

Ms Topfer said the horses might have survived if they had been individually stalled.

TT-Line is expected to return to court for sentencing on December 21.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.