June 28, 2011

Australian cattle farmers dismiss government compensation package

The US$3.124 million compensation package offered by the Australian federal government has failed to impress Australian beef farmers, who would rather the federal government focus on resuming live exports.

The compensation package, announced by Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig, is intended to provide assistance to workers whose income was directly affected by the suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia on June 7, leaving more than 150,000 ready-to-export cattle have been stranded across Australia.

It includes payments for people who have lost their jobs as a result of the move, and assistance for employees and small business owners who earn most of their income from the live cattle trade to Indonesia.

However, farmers are dismissive of the package.

"I'm sure that the people who would be eligible for this would much rather be working than being on social security," Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association president Rohan Sullivan was quoted by the Australia Associated Press on Monday (Jun 27).

"The best thing that could be done for the industry is to get it going again. Things like compensation are secondary."

It is unclear when trade will resume, although the initial suspension was put in place for up to six months.

Australian Trade Minister Craig Emerson said he does not believe the suspension of live cattle trade to Indonesia will damage trading links between the two countries.

In early June, Ludwig announced the suspension of all live exports to Indonesia until the welfare of cattle can be guaranteed, following the release of footage showing Australian cattle being tortured in Indonesian slaughterhouses.