Malaysia has lifted its temporary suspension of live cattle and buffalo exports from Australia.
Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) said in a statement it had been formally advised that Malaysian authorities would begin granting import permits to industry immediately.
ABC Rural understands a shipment of cattle and buffalo is due to leave Darwin Port bound for Malaysia in the next 48 hours.
The trade suspension started last month when Malaysia flagged concerns about lumpy skin disease (LSD) after Indonesia suspended cattle imports from four export facilities in northern Australia.
Australia has always maintained it is free of LSD and has tested more than 1,000 animals to assure Indonesia and Malaysia.
“Our testing did not detect LSD in Australia and our disease status has not changed,” DAFF said.
“Malaysia’s decision to lift the suspension is welcomed by the Australian government and industry.
“It’s a result of a well-coordinated whole-of-government effort, led by the department’s technical and trade officials who helped gather the extensive evidence base that led to this determination.”
ABC Rural understands the three new facilities are not officially suspended from trading, but are required to test all cattle before export to Indonesia, which is not viable and has been deemed “an unworkable situation”.
Australian Livestock Exporters Council chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton said meetings in Jakarta this week involving Australia’s chief vet would hopefully resolve the situation.
(ABC)
