The unclear requirements were troubling Indonesian cattle importers and therefore their plans to import live cattle from Australia could not be implemented.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian government has asked Australia to clarify its conditions for live cattle to be exported to Indonesia as Australian exporters had asked Indonesian importers to anaesthesize the cows before they are slaughtered.

"When the exports to Indonesia were resumed, the (Australian) government did not say that (the cattle) must be anasthesized before being slaughtered. However, Australian exporters now say the cattle must put to sleep before being slaughtered. It`s not right. So we ask the Australian government to explain what its requirements actually are," Director General of the Trade Ministry`s Foreign Trade Deddy Saleh said here on Thursday.

The unclear requirements were troubling Indonesian cattle importers and therefore their plans to import live cattle from Australia could not be implemented, he said.

"They have lifted the export ban, but it could not be realized because the requirements have been tightened. We have to meet all requirements of supply chain assurance, including the animal welfare aspect. The exporters there even require that the cattle must be made unconscious before being slaughtered, while their government does not ask that," he said.

Deddy said the government is currently looking for other prospective cattle exporters to lessen dependency on supplying countries like Australia.

"We are trying to talk to the United States, but if their requirements are tight, we will look for other alternatives. We have received information that Columbia has adequate supply and safe from foot-and-mouth disease. This can become an alternative," he said.

Since early July, Australia`s ban on live cattle exports to Indonesia has been lifted, according to Federal Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig.

AAP reported that Senator Ludwig was confident Indonesian abattoirs could now meet Australian standards.

The resumption comes after the government had suspended the exports of live cattle to the Asian nation on June 7.

Abattoirs will have to apply for permits to demonstrate they can meet requirements.

Senator Ludwig said tracking and transparency in the supply chain would be improved.

The government had worked hard to put measures in place to ensure the trade could resume following a damaging Four Corners Report of inhumane slaughtering practices at Indonesian abattoirs.

He said companies could apply for permits to export to Indonesia. Provided they met all requirements of supply chain assurance, export approval would be given.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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