Indonesia suspends live cattle imports from Northern Territory facility

Australia’s live export industry is on edge after Indonesia tonight temporarily suspended imports from a Northern Territory facility.

Live cattle exports from one Australian facility have temporarily suspended after more than 100 cattle died on the Brahman Express, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry says.

In a statement on its website tonight, DAFF said “Australia has received confirmation from the Indonesian authorities that the export of live cattle from a particular registered establishment in the Northern Territory has been temporarily suspended, pending further investigations to determine the cause of the incident”.

“The suspensions follows the confirmed mortalities on-board the Brahman Express,” the statement reads.

“The department continues to investigate the cause of the livestock mortalities. Clinical signs present in the cattle are consistent with botulism.

“The department is committed to working closely with our international trading partners to provide assurance that all animals exported from Australia comply with their animal health requirements.

“Australia is confident that there is no evidence of an exotic disease, and our animal health status remains unchanged.”

The statement comes after an email was reportedly leaked to media from a DAFF staff member, warning the live export industry that a trade suspension could be likely.

The speculation on Thursday prompted Nationals leader David Littleproud to urge federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt to “pick up the phone” to Indonesia.

“Indonesia would see the leaking (of the email) to be disrespectful, and they need to be given reassurance their diplomatic confidentiality will be upheld,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Indonesia will work through it and will want to make assessments and decide what actions they will take. Adding to public speculation doesn’t help the industry.

“There needs to be good lines of communication between Australia and Indonesia. Indonesia will make decisions based on science.”

Nationals leader David Littleproud. Picture: Martin Ollman

The department on Tuesday confirmed it was investigating after a “significant” number of cattle had died onboard the live export vessel en route to Indonesia. In a further statement on Thursday, it said that “clinical signs present in the cattle appear to be consistent with botulism”.

WA Farmers livestock president Geoff Pearson said it was believed the case had been singled out to one property.

“Any disruption to the trade is concerning as Indonesia is one of our largest trading partners,” Mr Pearson said.

However, he said it would probably be unlikely the whole cattle trade would be suspended, as there was a short supply of livestock into Indonesia at present as the nation prepared for Eid.

The department said it continued to cooperate with Indonesian officials to provide assurance in relation to the circumstances and would provide a report to them at the conclusion of the investigation.

Cattle on a live export ship. Picture: Keri Megelus

The incident has caused nervousness throughout the beef industry, given northern Australia’s reliance on the Indonesian market.

ANZ agribusiness research associate director Alanna Barrett said: “Obviously any widespread or broad suspension, more than a localised ban, would be a big blow to confidence in the northern market”.

Nationally, Australia had high local herd supply numbers, meaning any disruption to exports could have a “major impact” on prices, she said.

“But we will just have to wait and see what happens,” Ms Barrett said.

“Indonesia is a very important market for our northern production zone, which is completely set up to service that market.”