Pakistan declines Australian offer of free sheep

Pakistan has turned down an Australian offer to take over 50,000 sheep stranded at 
sea for weeks for free.

"We have communicated the decision to the Australian Government today... we have 
politely refused their offer," Pakistani Farm Minister Sardar Yar 
Muhammad Rind said.

"We are grateful that they considered giving as a gift that huge quantity to Pakistan, 
but we cannot accept unhealthy sheep," he said by telephone from Islamabad.

The Federal Agriculture Minister, Warren Truss, says attempts to find a new owner 
are proving difficult.

The Opposition leader, Simon Crean, says the Prime Minister needs to intervene.

The Federal Government has rejected calls for the rest to be destroyed 
but says they cannot be returned to Australia because of quarantine restrictions.

Greens Senator Bob Brown has called for the immediate return of the ship.

Senator Brown says the situation is getting worse by the day 
and if a country is not found to accept the sheep, 
the shipment should be either returned to Australia or the livestock be put down.

"And that's got some terrific consequences itself such as disposal," he said.