Anti-live export campaigners and the Federal Opposition are concerned by reports a ship docked at Fremantle will be loaded with sheep and cattle for export in the coming days.

The country's live exports trade has been at a halt since June, after Emanuel Exports had its licence suspended over footage of thousands of animals dying at sea.

Tony Seabrook, president of the West Australian Pastoralists and Graziers' Association, said he understood Livestock Shipping Services (LSS) were due to load about 20,000 sheep and about 8,000 cattle onto the ship.

But Mr Seabrook said despite that, he did not view it as a resumption of the trade — instead the move was prompted by the need to export the cattle, which had been stuck in a feedlot for a long time.

"They are buying a very small cargo of sheep, as I've been led to believe, just to use up some of the space onboard," he said.

He said LSS was the only live exporter currently able to operate.

"We had four live exporters operating here, they are the only ones still standing," he said.

"I do understand they (LSS) applied to the department in Canberra for relief from the very extreme loading conditions … that was flat rejected.

"I've spoken to them and I don't know what their plans are for into the future, but at the moment if anyone said the live sheep trade was up and running, they are kidding themselves. It's not."

The live exports trade has been at a standstill since June. ( ABC News )

The federal Department of Agriculture said it did not comment on individual exports, but voyages during the northern summer were required to meet higher standards.

In a statement, a spokesperson said that from May 1, to October 31, exporters were required to comply with the following conditions:

Significantly reducing livestock densities on live sheep voyages to the Middle East for the northern hemisphere summer

Significantly reducing livestock densities on live sheep voyages to the Middle East for the northern hemisphere summer Independent auditing of pen air turnover readings to confirm the data entered into the industry heat stress risk assessment model was accurate

Independent auditing of pen air turnover readings to confirm the data entered into the industry heat stress risk assessment model was accurate Only using vessels that have automatic watering arrangements installed for each sheep deck

Only using vessels that have automatic watering arrangements installed for each sheep deck Reducing the notifiable mortality rate for sheep exported by sea to the Middle East from 2 to 1 per cent.

But that is not enough to allay the concerns of Federal Labor and some animal welfare groups.

The Opposition's agriculture spokesman, Joel Fitzgibbon, accused the Federal Government of giving the live export trade the green light despite the fact nothing had changed since it brought the trade to a halt 13 weeks ago.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the Australian Veterinary Association has previously warned exports to the Middle East should not occur from May to October because the sheep remained susceptible to heat stress and would perish due to the extreme climatic conditions.

He said the temperature in Kuwait on Tuesday was over 40 degrees Celsius.

"Temperatures in the Middle East at the moment are extreme and the scientists have made it quite clear that these voyages, in that heat, are not compatible with animal welfare standards," he said.

Sorry, this video has expired Conditions aboard a live export ship

Government 'throwing caution to the wind'

The RSPCA also voiced its concerns.

Spokesman Jed Goodfellow said the decision to allow the Maysora to sail threw "caution to the wind" as the Government awaited the outcomes of three critical reviews into live export safety and standards.

"Approving further shipments into the Middle Eastern summer before receiving this critical advice is simply reckless, and shows the Government is yet again willing to place exporter profits before animal welfare," Dr Goodfellow said.

He also described the Maysora as "ageing and dilapidated", and a "high risk twin-tier ship" of the sort which would soon be outlawed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

The Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud gave a brief statement.

"I put in place a scientific framework to allow sheep to sail in summer," he said.

"Unfortunately penalties have not doubled for animal welfare breaches for sheep and cattle exports because Labor has not supported my bill."