The MS Danny F II - formerly owned by Elders to transport Australian sheep from Australia to the Middle East until deemed unfit five years ago - was on its way from Uruguay to Syria.

Animal rights groups including the RSPCA and Animals Australia this week renewed their pressure on the Federal Government to shut down live export on ethical grounds, criticising the trade for being a part of the “long line of disasters” and the alleged death of some 40,000 sheep each year.

However, LiveCorp chief executive Cameron Hall defended the Australian livestock export industry and questioned this figure, saying 99 per cent of Australian livestock arrived fit and healthy at their destination.

“Australia operates under very strict regulations and uses only the best vessels to export our livestock,” Mr Hall said this week.

Despite LiveCorp's rebuttal, the groups remained unmoved on their plight.

Melina Tensen, RSPCA farm animal’s scientific officer, said it was “laughable” to suggest export trade was safe for livestock.

“The terrible drowning of the 28,000 cattle and sheep on the Danny F II highlights the inherent dangers in transporting live animals over such long distances but the majority of deaths at sea are actually related to the stress of being transported,” she said.

Similarly, Animals Australia executive director Glenys Oogjes said the sinking of the Danny F II, and the subsequent death of livestock and humans, showed the live export industry could not claim to appease to high animal welfare standards.

"When something goes wrong, such as fire, ventilation breakdown or extremes of weather, thousands of lives are lost," she said in a statement.

Regulation of the Australian industry includes full and thorough implementation of international maritime standards for vessels.

More than half the 83 crew members are still missing.