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Roundup: Australian live cattle exporters concerned over Indonesia's breeding plan

Xinhua, October 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Australian live cattle representatives have expressed their concern over a proposed new Indonesian trade rule to use imported Australian cattle for breeding, local media reported late on Monday.

Earlier this week, Australian representatives flew to Jakarta for talks about the new rule, which was proposed by Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita last month. Under the regulations, Indonesian live meat importers must use one in every six cows for breeding.

Australian exporters believe the move could threaten the long-term viability of the industry, as Indonesia is one of Australia's major live beef export markets.

Meat and Livestock Australia said in a statement last month that no cattle were exported to Indonesia in September because of the negotiations surrounding the breeding rules, while Australian Livestock Exporters' Council chairman Simon Crean has met with Lukita in an attempt to resolve the issue before Indonesian President Joko Widodo visits Australia next month.

"The opportunity to spend time in Indonesia this week has galvanized my belief that the export of both feeder and breeder cattle from Australia to Indonesia has an economically sustainable and mutually beneficial future," Cream told Fairfax Media late on Monday.

Trade Minister Steve Ciobo added the meeting between Crean and Lukita was a "key part" of the conversation regarding industry engagement between the two nations.

The news is the latest in a long line of controversies which have dogged the bilateral trade relationship between Australia and Indonesia in recent years. In 2011, Australia suspended live cattle exports after it was understood abattoirs were mistreating the cattle, while in 2015, Indonesia drastically cut the number of live cattle imports - threatening the livelihood of Australian exporters.

Meanwhile Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said on Tuesday that she would also be visiting Indonesia later this week in an attempt to "advance Australia's relationship with one of our most important economic and security partners."

Bishop, who will visit Jakarta and Bali on Oct. 26- 28, said meeting with senior Indonesian ministers would "progress our dialogue on key strategic issues facing the region."

"I will participate in the annual Foreign and Defence Ministers' "2+2 Meeting", along with my colleague, the Minister for Defence Marise Payne, and our Indonesian counterparts, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu," Bishop said in a statement.

"The 2+2 is the premier forum for advancing strategic dialogue and cooperation with Indonesia. This year we will focus on furthering our already substantial collaboration to combat terrorism and violent extremism, and enhancing maritime cooperation."

Bishop said she would also represent Australia at the 16th Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers Meeting in Bali.

"It's the only ministerial-level meeting which brings together the almost 2 billion people living in the Indian Ocean countries. It plays an important part in the role of the stability and prosperity of our region." Endit