A federal investigation has found no evidence whistleblowers fabricated the controversial footage of sheep perishing aboard a ship bound for the Middle East by turning off ventilation or fans.

Key points: An investigation by the Department of Agriculture into how live export footage was obtained has found the footage was not contrived and no illegal payments were made

An investigation by the Department of Agriculture into how live export footage was obtained has found the footage was not contrived and no illegal payments were made Footage of almost 2,500 dead or dying sheep onboard the Middle East-bound Awassi Express prompted major changes to the live sheep export industry

Footage of almost 2,500 dead or dying sheep onboard the Middle East-bound Awassi Express prompted major changes to the live sheep export industry Liberal MP Rick Wilson said he did not accept the department's conclusions and would be seeking further action

The Department of Agriculture launched an investigation into how the footage was obtained after media reports alleged live export ship workers had been paid in exchange for vision of animal cruelty.

It has concluded the footage was not contrived and no illegal payments were made.

In April last year, video footage emerged showing almost 2,500 sheep either dead or dying aboard the livestock carrier Awassi Express in the Middle East in 2017.

The incident led to reviews of industry regulation, the cancellation of vessel owner Emanuel Exports' trading licence and a three-month industry-wide export ban during the northern-hemisphere summer.

The footage of sheep onboard the Awassi Express led to major changes in the live sheep export industry. ( ABC News: Nicolas Perpitch )

No evidence of contrived cruelty

In January, former agriculture minister David Littleproud ordered his department to investigate allegations of payment for cruelty footage, and soon after criminal investigators with the Compliance Division launched formal inquiries.

The department said investigators consulted the Australian Federal Police (AFP) during its probe, and that the AFP also heard similar allegations but did not identify grounds for its own investigation.

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Australian Livestock Exporters' Council (ALEC) CEO Mark Harvey-Sutton said the organisation would accept the findings detailed in a 235-word media release published last Friday.

However he is calling on the department to release a comprehensive report.

"We have to have trust in the processes that have taken place," Mr Harvey-Sutton said.

"I will caveat that with the point that we would like to see the full report, so we can completely understand how the findings have been achieved.

"The industry has changed, and it has changed for the better off the back of the Awassi Express.

"Having said that, we have always carried the concerns that, if the allegations that payments were being made to crew members were true, then you're effectively making a market for animal cruelty."

In a statement, Animals Australia said it hoped the findings would bring an end to public victimisation of whistleblower Fazal Ullah, who filmed the vision aboard the Awassi Express, and others like him.

"Animals Australia requested this investigation and cooperated fully with it," an Animals Australia spokesperson said.

"Our only disappointment is that those responsible for providing false information to journalists have not, as yet, been identified.

"If it wasn't for the actions of this brave whistleblower and the resulting investigation into the Awassi Express, live export ships to the Middle East would not have been ceased over summer months and countless animals would have continued to suffer.

"The veracity of the evidence was never in question. No incentive was paid to film or provide the vision — vision both accepted by the department and independently verified."

Federal Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson is questioning the veracity of the investigation's findings. ( ABC Rural: Jon Daly )

Calls for AFP involvement

Rick Wilson, Federal Liberal Member for the West Australian seat of O'Connor, said he did not accept the department's conclusions and would be seeking further action.

"I will be seeking meetings with Agriculture Minister Bridget McKenzie and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to try and get the AFP involved in this investigation," Mr Wilson said.

Mr Wilson said he was far from satisfied with the findings.

Emanuel Exports is seeking to overturn the cancellation of its export licence, and that of its subsidiary, EMS Rural Exports, through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

With that in mind, Mr Wilson questioned the department's ability to carry out an objective and independent investigation.

PGA president Tony Seabrook says the live export industry has come a long way in the last year. ( Supplied )

"Here we have a situation where the department has investigated its key piece of evidence against Emanuel Exports," he said.

When contacted by the ABC, the Department of Agriculture declined to respond to Mr Wilson's criticisms.

Pastoralists and Graziers Association (PGA) president Tony Seabrook said the findings had not convinced him and many others within the agricultural community reliant on live sheep exports.

"We've moved a long way in 12 months, and it is beholden on the animal rights activists to recognise we do have a right to conduct business," he said.

"If we're not doing it in a way that is acceptable, then we have a problem, but we are doing it in a way that is acceptable."

An Animals Australia spokesperson said the organisation would continue to play an active role supporting the regulator of the live trade through independent reporting.

The ABC has contacted Emanuel Exports for comment.