Live cattle exporters pin hopes on ‘technical meetings’ to end Indonesian ban but brace for long stand-off

Live cattle exporters are pinning their hopes for a quick resumption of trade with Indonesia on a series of “technical meetings” in Jakarta this week – but are bracing for the dispute to drag on for weeks. In an update sent to industry participants Wednesday morning, the Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association told members Australian and Indonesian officials remained locked in discussions about the origins of lumpy skin disease found in eight animals. “We remain hopeful that this week’s technical meetings in Jakarta with Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Cookson, brings some much-needed clarity and reassurance for our members,” KPCA chairman Jak Andrews wrote. The belief among both the Australian and WA Governments is that the cattle at the centre of the stand-off were false positives that have been vaccinated against LSD. Thousands of cattle have been tested for LSD in Australia since Indonesia and Malaysia first placed restrictions on the export of the animals from a series of quarantine facilities in July. None of those tests detected LSD and the condition has never been found in cattle on Australian shores. Despite the testing regime, a further three quarantine sites – two of them Broome – were effectively banned by Indonesia and Malaysia over the weekend in a move that blindsided the cattle industry and cut off WA completely from both countries. Malaysia on Tuesday lifted its ban but Indonesia – by far the biggest destination for Australian live cattle – has so far refused to follow suit. “Our industry remains confident about our LSD-free status and it is in the interests of both countries that trade is able to be normalised in the least trade restrictive way,” Mr Andrews wrote. “Understandably, the uncertainty around this situation and the uncertainty of the outcomes of the meetings over the coming days and weeks is unnerving for WA producers and for everyone involved in the northern cattle supply chain. “KPCA will be providing a weekly update on actions being undertaken to progress the resolution of this issue and any supporting activities we can initiate or promote to provide assistance to our livestock industry.” In a grim reminder of the immense pressure the ban is placing on station operators, Mr Andrews’ email included contact details for Lifeline and other crisis services. “We encourage any of our members who might be experiencing difficulties to reach out to (KPCA chief executive Bron Christensen) or myself at any stage so that we are aware of how this situation is impacting you, and can bring these conversations to the table,” Mr Andrews said. Liberal Leader Libby Mettam has pointed to the live export crisis as evidence the Cook Government had neglected its relationship with Indonesia and called for the reinstatement of a dedicated WA trade commissioner to the country. “In 2021 the WA Labour government dumped the Asian engagement strategy and portfolio,” she said. “They also not only dumped the portfolio but diluted the role of the trade commissioner who was originally dedicated to Indonesia. “If the Cook Labor Government had ensured that there was a trade commissioner maintained for Indonesia we would not have seen this unnecessary communication issue around the live exports with Indonesia that has unnecessarily hurt industry.” Energy Minister Bill Johnston – who has just returned from a visit to Jakarta as part of a government trade mission – said Ms Mettam “didn’t know what she was talking about”. While conceding there was no dedicated trade commissioner in Indonesia, he said a “hub and spoke model” based around Singapore fulfilled much the same role. “The leader is the person in Singapore,” he said. “Why is she in Singapore? Because she’s got kids and it’s not suitable for her personally to be based in Jakarta. “When she was interviewed for the job, the expectation was that she would live in Jakarta and serve Singapore and Malaysia and Vietnam from there, but in the end we found it wasn’t practical so she stayed in Singapore. “But we actually have a full-time (West) Australian in Bryce Green (ASEAN Investment and Trade Commissioner) in Jakarta and we’ve got an office of eight or nine people.” Both Premier Roger Cook and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are currently in Indonesia as part of trade and diplomatic visits respectively.