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The last live shipment of cattle from South Canterbury left Timaru’s port Thursday with more than 6000 cattle on board. Ministry for Primary Industries’ director animal health and welfare Carolyn Guy confirmed livestock carrier The Dareen left the port bound for China with 6090 cattle onboard. The Animal Welfare Export Certificate allowed for up to 6253 cattle to be exported but the number of animals loaded was lower than the limit, as each animal is assessed by MPI-approved veterinarians, and any deemed unfit to travel would not be loaded. Carolyn Guy says the Ministry is still reviewing the circumstances around video footage of cattle being held in muddy paddocks at Pleasant Point, near Timaru, prior to export.