Indonesia Halves Australian Beef Export Quota
AUSTRALIA - The Indonesian government has confirmed that only 98,000 head of cattle will be imported from Australia for the remaining six months of 2012.
18 July 2012
1 minute read
It takes the total number to 283,000 for this year, down from 410,000 last year.
The Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association says it means the annual quota for 2012 is the lowest ever issued.
Executive director Luke Bowen says it will compound the financial problems being experienced by producers.
"It is an enormous reduction in total numbers, of numbers out of Northern Australia into Indonesia," he said.
He says the situation may get worse before it gets better.
Worse still, Mr Bowen says, is talk the permits for next year may be halved again, which would be a major concern.
He says the industry has to respect the Indonesian government but the viability of the northern cattle industry must remain a priority to Indonesia if Australia is to supply protein and food security in the long term.
TheCattleSite News Desk
