Australia: livestock exporters seek re-opening of trade with Indonesia
According to Australian media, the country’s livestock industry has written to Federal Parliamentarians calling for an immediate resumption of the live export trade to Indonesia.
“On behalf of the Australian livestock industry we write to express our grave concerns over the effects of the suspension of the live cattle trade on Australian families and businesses and to call for an immediate lifting of the current trade suspension,” the letter reads.
The letter has been signed by the heads of the National Farmers Federation, Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, Sheepmeat Council, Australian Livestock Exporters Council, Cattle Council, Goat Industry Council of Australia, WAFarmers, and AgForce.
The letter outlines improvements being made to traceability and supply chains in Indonesia that meet international standards.
It says the suspension of trade has cost industry more than $100 million so far.
“It is much more difficult to put a figure on the effects of the suspension on business confidence of the entire live export industry, thousands of families and the mental health of countless individuals. However we know these people are suffering,” it says.
