April 13, 2011
 

Indonesia gives new round of shipping consent to Australian cattle

The Indonesian government has given out a new cycle of import permits, which will state the number of Australian cattle that can be sent over during the next three months.

The government has issued permits for 200,000 head of cattle, and depending on an upcoming review, Indonesia is on track to import half a million Aussie cattle this year.

Allister Lugsdin, from Meat and Livestock Australia, said the early release of the permits has given certainty to the Australian live cattle export industry.

"This time 12 months ago permits were not as predictable, and there was uncertainty," he said.

"It has been good that a large number of importers have been allocated permits for the next three months, and they will be spread across a number of exporters so that importers and exporters can plan ahead."

Lugsdin said 125,000 permits were issued in the first quarter of the year, but at this stage it is unclear whether Australia was able to meet that quota.

"At the end of February, Australian exporters had shipped 70,000 head, and at this stage we are unsure whether they will have fulfilled the 125,000 limit," he said.

"I think if exporters do not use up all of the permits for the first quarter, they should be available later in the year, but that will be reviewed in the middle of the year."