July 4, 2011

 

Australian PM confident on live cattle trade

 

 

The Australian federal government insists Indonesia's decision not to reissue import permits for live Australian cattle is not a permanent roadblock, and that there is nothing stopping Indonesia from reissuing the permits as soon as an agreement is reached.

 

Indonesia last week delayed granting new licences for the July-to-September quarter given Australia's own suspension on cattle exports, which could potentially last until November, prompting fears within the industry that Indonesia could withhold the permits and use this as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Australia.

 

The two countries have yet to agree on mutual slaughter standards which, along with a tracking system, are needed to get the US$320 million trade up and running again.

 

"There is no technical impediment to Indonesia granting permits in the forthcoming three-month period," Prime Minister Julia Gillard told parliament during question time on Monday (Jul 4).

 

Australia's suspension could last anywhere up to six months, although the coalition is demanding that trade resume immediately to a handful of abattoirs that abide by international standards.

 

Opposition agriculture spokesman John Cobb and Nationals colleague Nigel Scullion have just returned from Indonesia, where they held talks with local industry representatives.

 

Cobb said they represented 30-40% of the abattoirs that process Australian cattle, and were ready and willing to start again immediately.

 

"They are absolutely confident they can get started tomorrow, doing it entirely by international (slaughter) standards and with the tracking system," he said. "So just lift this ban and let's have a look and issue permits for those that can comply now."

 

Cobb said the Indonesians were "justifiably bloody angry" but were as keen as their Australian counterparts to resume trade.

 

Cobb also said he wanted Gillard or Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd to step in over Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig, who has been under fire for his handling of the matter.

 

But Gillard gave Ludwig her backing on Monday (Jul 4) and also said she, Rudd, and other frontbenchers were already involved in what was a highly complex issue.

Video >

Follow Us

FacebookTwitterLinkedIn