Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Australia suspend live-cattle exports to Indonesia

Australia will immediately suspend live-cattle exports to Indonesia for as long as six months on
concern animals are being tortured.

The government strengthened a suspension announced last week that covered only some abbattoirs in Indonesia, its largest buyer, which was announced after a television program showed animals being mistreated. Lawmakers, facing community outrage,
pressured the government to impose a full ban.

Annual live-cattle exports to Indonesia, which buys about 60 percent of Australia's cattle shipments, contributed A$319 million (US$342 million) to the country, according to Meat & Livestock Australia. Total live-cattle exports are forecast by the government at A$753 million in the 12 months ending June 30, 2012.

Television footage aired May 30 showed cattle in Indonesian slaughterhouses being kicked and whipped.

No comments: