September 13, 2023
Australia's cattle exports now re-permitted to enter Indonesia
Australian cattle producers will be able to resume live cattle and buffalo trade with Indonesia after Australia agreed to extra biosecurity measures on September 8.
Indonesia imposed a ban on live cattle and buffalo producers on July 30 after 13 Australian cattle allegedly arrived in the country with lumpy skin disease (LSD). Four export yards faced an outright ban and a further three faced restrictions in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia.
The ban had effectively brought trade with Indonesia — Australia's largest cattle export market — to a halt.
Malaysia followed Indonesia's lead and suspended live cattle exports from Australia, but resumed trade earlier this month.
The Australian federal government has agreed to conduct ongoing broad surveillance of local cattle for LSD, visually inspect cattle before they are shipped, and host a delegation of Indonesian officials to inspect the export yards.
Australian Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said the federal government would bear the costs, but could not provide an estimate of the price tag. He estimated the five-week ban had cost the government "millions" of dollars, but had not impacted relations with Jakarta.
"I think if anything, this actually makes the relationship stronger. It's a testament to the fact that we do have a good relationship with Indonesia that this has been able to be resolved quite quickly," Watt added.
The federal government and Australian Livestock Exporters' Council (ALEC) maintain the country remains free of LSD, which has been spreading in Indonesia since March last year.
The ban triggered high-level diplomatic talks with Indonesia and extensive testing of local cattle.
A senior delegation of Australian officials, including Australia's Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson, travelled to Jakarta to meet with Indonesian officials. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also raised the matter with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
- ABC
