Malaysia lifts live cattle suspension after tests

Indonesia’s suspension, which increased this week after more Australian cattle tested positive for the disease, remains in place.

Lumpy skin disease causes production losses in cattle and buffalo.

Malaysia has lifted its suspension of live cattle imports from Australia after testing of more than 1000 animals found no trace of lumpy skin disease.

But Indonesia’s suspension ­ remains. Malaysia’s decision came after the Australian government released the results of testing across 2800km of the country’s north which found no trace of the virus.

The country’s suspension of live cattle exports out of Australia was announced on August 9. It was believed to have been based on Indonesia’s advice to the Australian government that it would not accept cattle from four export establishments following detection of lumpy skin disease in animals after they had arrived and spent time in Indonesia.

Australian authorities have ­denied the cattle were infected before they were shipped to Indonesia from facilities in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. “I welcome today’s announcement that Malaysia will resume the import of Australian live cattle and buffalo,” Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said.

“This is an important first step in the full restoration of this trade.

“We have always maintained that Australia is free of lumpy skin disease, demonstrated by the ­results of extensive testing undertaken across Northern Australia.”

Malaysia formally advised the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry about its decision to lift the suspension on Tuesday. “Malaysia’s decision to lift the suspension is … a result of a well co-ordinated whole-of-government effort,” acting deputy secretary of the Agricultural Trade Group Nicola Hinder said, adding that Malaysia would begin granting import permits immediately.

Frustrated by Indonesia’s ­refusal to accept the evidence and lift the ban, the federal government has sent a technical team to work with their counterparts in Jakarta to break the impasse.