Export boss blames sheep deaths on weather

Extreme weather is to blame for a "tragic domino effect" that lead to sheep dying in their own excrement and struggling to breathe during a voyage to the Middle East last year, Australia's Livestock Exporters' Council boss says.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud wants tougher penalties for the live export industry.

Simon Westaway has defended the nation's live export business which is under the microscope again after shocking footage from that ship was broadcast.

He stood by "generally good standards" in the industry though admitted they were not reflected in the footage.

Mr Westaway pointed to a combination of factors including the weather event, travelling to a hotter port in Qatar than one in Kuwait because of economic bans at the time, and too many livestock on board.

"That's created this absolutely tragic domino effect," Mr Westaway told the Nine Network on Tuesday.

He said there had been "a small number" of these events in previous years, including two last year where standards were breached.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud wants company directors to face jail time and hefty fines if they fail to meet animal welfare standards for livestock exports.

While there's legislation before parliament to double penalties for companies which breach welfare standards, the minister would like to see harsher punishments.

"I'd personally like to see it go further to encompass company directors to be more personally responsible with greater fines and jail time," Mr Littleproud told ABC radio.

"If you want to change the culture it's got to happen from the top."

He said if company directors were prevented from hiding behind company structures and shelf companies, they would do more to ensure standards were met.

"No one should fear if they're doing the right thing but those that don't, they've got to know that we're going to be there to get them," the minister said.

Emanuel Exports - the company which operated the ship - will have to satisfy authorities it has made improvements before it is allowed to set sail on its next trip to the Middle East.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has raised concerns around air flow which have to be allayed before the ship can leave Fremantle.

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