Member welcomes lift of live export ban, Duncan

Author: Wendy Duncan
Published on: 07-July-2011

Member for Mining and Pastoral Region, Hon Wendy Duncan has welcomed the decision to lift the suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia.

“The suspension initiated by the federal government has caused great damage to this significant industry here in Australia, and has had a rippling effect across the many trades and businesses associated with it.”

“It is now time for trade to be resumed, and I am pleased that our Australian exporters can now apply for export licences’ to start shipping stranded cattle to Indonesia,” said Ms Duncan.

However it will be one battle at a time, with expected delays in transport and shipping services; meaning exporters would face further problems in moving cattle.

Ms Duncan was pleased with the news that the director general of livestock with the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Prabowo Caturroso, was ready to issue import permits for Australian cattle, however he would be recommending a dramatic cut in live cattle sourced from Australia.

“I commend the State Government, and in particular Minister Terry Redman on the handling of this issue, as well as the pastoral industry as a whole who banded together to demonstrate the impact that this ban had on them in a level headed, practical way,” said Ms Duncan.

“This is something that we never want to see repeated for the Australian cattle industry.”

“I look forward to assisting the pastoral community of my electorate in pushing forward with getting this live export trade with Indonesia back on track.”