Redman condemns live export suspension
Author: Terry Redman
Published on: 08-June-2011
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman has expressed disappointment at the Federal Government’s decision to suspend all live cattle exports to Indonesia.
Mr Redman said the decision will severely impact on businesses, employees and families in Western Australia’s cattle industry.
He said it was particularly disappointing that there had been little consultation by the Federal Government with relevant State Ministers.
“Like everyone else, I was horrified by the images shown on the Four Corners program and I certainly support urgent action to markedly improve animal welfare standards for Australian cattle processed in Indonesia,” Mr Redman said.
“While I support taking action against abattoirs that have been proven to be mistreating animals, I do not support a hasty decision to suspend all exports to Indonesia.
“We offered our full support to the Federal Government to work with them and industry to urgently address these issues last week.
“A decision like this, which has such far-reaching implications for the several thousand West Australians involved in this major industry, needs to be made after thorough exploration by governments collectively.”
Mr Redman said the beef industry and government have been working with Indonesia for some time to improve animal welfare standards.
“Australia is the only country likely to make the investment necessary to partner with Indonesian businesses to lift welfare standards. Because we’re a major supplier of livestock to Indonesia we can use our influence to make positive changes.
“A suspension could simply mean Indonesia will take cattle from people who don’t care as much as we do, and years of work to improve standards will be lost.”
Last year Western Australia exported 370,000 head of cattle, with about 80 per cent going to Indonesia.
Mr Redman said the ban has placed Western Australia’s entire $250million live export beef industry in jeopardy, and will potentially create serious animal welfare and environmental issues in Australia if unaddressed.
“Western Australia’s northern cattle industry is heavily dependent on the Indonesian market. With that market closed pastoralists, including indigenous pastoralists, could be left with thousands of animals they can’t sell,” he said.
“That could lead to over-grazing, our own animal welfare issues and land degradation if not managed properly.
“I have set up a taskforce with representatives from Government, the beef industry, exporters, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and WAFarmers, which will meet for the first time today.
“I sincerely hope the Federal Government is prepared to constructively work with Western Australia, other jurisdictions and industry in a cooperative and constructive way to resolve this issue and see the trade resumed as quickly as possible to the level of animal welfare standards accepted by Australian cattle producers and others in our community.”
