Resumption of Live Export Trade, Catania
Author: Vincent Catania
Published on: 07-July-2011
Member for North West Vincent Catania has welcomed the lifting of the ban on live exports to Indonesia.
Labelling the original decision to ban exports as stupid and irresponsible Vincent Catania said “I am pleased that the Federal Government has finally taken steps to recommence the export of cattle to Indonesia. The State Government is working with the livestock industry to do all it can to assist in this process and get the industry back on track.”
Whilst he was relieved that the complete ban has been lifted Mr Catania said “There has been a lot of damage to the industry created by this knee jerk reaction. The lifting of the ban is a step in the right direction, but through this process our entire cattle industry has been impacted. Pastoralists, transport companies, those working at our ports, have all suffered financial losses and it will take the industry some time to recover.”
“There is a lot of work to be done to re-establish the trade, and many issues that exporters will need to work through. I am very disappointed that the Federal Government made this unnecessary decision in the first place, when it could have been managed in a way that did not damage the industry and our relationship with our closest neighbour and trading partner.”
The North West is one of the main areas impacted by the ban and many pastoralists were devastated by the original Federal Government decision. Mr Catania conceded that there was still much work to be done, and that the lifting of the ban would not result in the immediate export of cattle from the North West.
“I hope that at a minimum the Federal Government learn a lesson from this major blunder” he said “the people of Regional Australia have a voice and contribute to the health and wealth of this Nation. By stopping an industry to appease Greens voters in Eastern States capital cities the Federal Government have created a chain of events that will take months and perhaps years to unravel. I hope that this is the last we see of emotive knee jerk decisions that destabilise the social and economic fabric of our regional communities.”
