The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced a successful agreement with the Indonesian Agriculture and Quarantine Agency (IAQA). Effective immediately, the suspensions and restrictions on live cattle and buffalo exports from seven registered establishments across northern Australia have been lifted.
This decision follows a week of technical discussions with Indonesian authorities, as well as the presentation of negative test results for lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Australian cattle and buffalo. The DAFF has re-confirmed that LSD has never been detected in Australia, maintaining the country’s status as free from the disease.
The Australian Government and industry stakeholders have warmly welcomed Indonesia’s decision to remove the suspension on four registered establishments and to ease restrictions on three others. This positive development reflects Australia’s robust biosecurity systems that underpin the country’s agricultural trade.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will continue to work closely with relevant stakeholders, providing the necessary assurances to trading partners regarding Australia’s animal health status.
Nicola Hinder PSM, Acting Deputy Secretary of the Agricultural Trade Group at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, expressed gratitude towards the Indonesian government partners for their ongoing cooperation. “We look forward to resuming the supply of healthy, high-quality Australian cattle to Indonesia,” she said.
Lumpy skin disease is a highly infectious viral disease affecting cattle and buffalo. It is transmitted through biting insects but poses no risk to human health. The lifting of these restrictions should alleviate concerns among Australian cattle producers, reaffirming that Australia remains free from LSD.