Cattle exports to Indonesia back to going gangbusters after lumpy skin disease scare

Cattle exports to Indonesia are back to going gangbusters after the lumpy skin disease scare with more than 3000 head a week being shipped over from WA. Indonesian authorities placed surveillance measures on seven Australian yards — three of which were from WA — after a ban on imports of live cattle over fears of the disease was lifted in September. This included extensive testing of cattle and site inspections to prove Australia remains LSD-free. The West Australian can reveal that no more site visits are planned after a delegation from the Indonesian Quarantine Authority came to the nation to inspect the seven yards between October 15 and 21 and were satisfied. “The focus of this visit was to observe Australian cattle for the possible presence of lumpy skin disease and to observe and verify sample integrity and testing at the laboratory,” an Agriculture Department spokeswoman said. “All test results were negative and Australia remains LSD-free. The Agriculture Department continues to ensure that all livestock consignments to Indonesia meet its importing country requirements.” Testing is still required as several cattle have various skin conditions that could be seen as a sign of disease. Trade suspensions were put on four Australian export ports, including Wyndham, in July after eight head were detected with lumpy skin disease. Broome was then added to the list with fears there could have been a $7 billion impact on the national economy if the disease was found. Malaysia also stopped imports of live cattle at the time. Now, since trade resumed in September, an average of 3049 live cattle are being sent to Indonesia from WA every week. Across the nation, there is a weekly average of 7424 being shipped. “Indonesia is Australia’s largest market for cattle and Indonesian families rely on Australian cattle for a consistent supply of high-quality affordable beef,” the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council chair David Galvin said when trade restarted. “The trade is a longstanding one that benefits both of us and I firmly believe that a strong relationship meant a mutually beneficial solution would always be found.” The Federal Government’s mid-year budget on Wednesday showed that $8.8 million over the next two years has been allocated to support the resumption of live cattle exports to Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia is the biggest market for live Australian cattle, importing about 337,000 animals last year, which is worth $600 million. Malaysia is much smaller by comparison, importing about 5000 cattle a year — the bulk of which are sent by air.