June 7, 2012

Due to the continuing restriction of live cattle imports from Australia, about 2,000 people have protested outside Indonesian government offices in Jakarta.

Industry sources say the protest was organised by the Indonesian Beef Committee and took place outside the Indonesian Ministry for Agriculture on Tuesday (June 5).

The demonstrators aimed to draw attention to the impact the import restrictions are having, particularly in Jakarta. The import quota for Australian producers this year is 283,000 head, down from 520,000 in 2011.

Permit numbers were slashed after the Australian Government suspended trade to Indonesia following animal cruelty images being aired on the ABC's four Corners programme.

The ABC has been told beef prices in Indonesia have risen by about US$2 a kilogramme to US$8.50 a kilogramme in recent months.