June 13, 2011

Meat and Livestock Australia to provide for stranded cattle

Meat and Livestock Australia is being asked to pay for the feed and water of cattle left behind due to an export prohibition.

The federal government has moved to appease beef producers by demanding a livestock industry body dip into its contingency fund to feed cattle stranded by a ban on live exports to Indonesia.

The Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig announced the suspension of exports last week amid widespread concerns of animal cruelty in Indonesian abattoirs.

The government is under pressure to move quickly to end the ban with many pastoralists and graziers saying their livelihoods are under threat.

Ludwig has now written to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) ordering it to dip into its contingency fund to help its members.

He has told MLA he expects it to make available immediately AUD5 million (US$ 5.3 million) to help feed and water stranded cattle.