The Federal Agriculture Department has threatened to block a shipment of almost 64,000 sheep from leaving Fremantle, as the company responsible for the shipment deals with allegations of animal welfare abuses.

Key points: Footage that shows sheep dying on live export ships was passed on to Agriculture Minister David Littleproud

Footage that shows sheep dying on live export ships was passed on to Agriculture Minister David Littleproud Company responsible for that shipment, Emanuel Exports, has ship due to leave Fremantle on Monday

Company responsible for that shipment, Emanuel Exports, has ship due to leave Fremantle on Monday Department wrote to Emanuel demanding the ship stay in port unless it meets welfare guidelines

Yesterday it was revealed around 2,400 sheep died of heat stress in August last year, while en route from Western Australia to the Middle East.

The vision, which has been secured by a commercial television network, is believed to show overcrowding, a lack of food and water, and dead animals left to decay on the decks of the ship.

It prompted outrage from Agriculture Minister David Littleproud, who said he was "gutted" after seeing footage of the animals suffering, and said it was "bullshit" that such deaths had occurred.

The company responsible for that shipment was Emanuel Exports, which has a ship due to leave Fremantle on Monday.

An Agriculture Department official has written to the company, and demanded the ship stay in port unless it meets animal welfare guidelines.

"My concern is that the vessel may have been too heavily stocked on previous voyages," wrote Narelle Clegg, an assistant secretary in the Department's Exports Division.

"This appears to have led to adverse animal welfare outcomes for livestock transported on the vessel."

Ms Clegg said Emanuel Exports would have to prove it had plans for veterinarians and properly trained crews on board to ensure the health of the livestock, as well as plans to ensure the animals were properly fed and watered.

The vessel will also have to meet the general standards put in place by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

An additional AMSA inspection will also be carried out that the ship needs to pass in order to carry livestock.

The extra AMSA inspection was already scheduled before Mr Littleproud issued his statement on the matter yesterday.

The August incident has again reignited the debate about the ethics of live exports, although the Federal Government has dismissed calls for a sudden ban on the practice.

Federal Labor are demanding tighter regulations and stronger penalties for people and companies involved in shocking live export scandals.