Indonesia pauses some Australian cattle imports after cows found with lumpy skin disease


SYDNEY (Reuters): Indonesia has paused live cattle imports from four Australian facilities after lumpy skin disease (LSD) was detected in a small number of cattle some time after arrival, the Australian government said.

Australian officials were working with Indonesia to reassure market participants that all animals exported from Australia complied with Indonesian requirements, including being free of LSD, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said in a statement on Sunday (July 30).

Rapid diagnostic testing of cattle has begun to help restore exports from the impacted facilities, he said.

LSD, which causes blisters and reduces milk production, is a highly infectious viral disease affecting cattle and buffalo that is transmitted by insect biting but which does not pose a risk to humans.

Australia is free of LSD and cattle exports to Indonesia continues from other facilities, Watt said.

Given the presence of LSD in Indonesia, positive results in cattle after reaching Indonesia were not unexpected, Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer Mark Schipp said. LSD was first reported in livestock in Indonesia early last year.

Indonesia is the largest market for Australian live cattle exports, accounting for about 56% in 2021-22, data showed, worth about A$900 million ($600 million). It is a trade that Australia's north heavily relies on.

Australia did not specify the number of shipments that will be impacted by Indonesia's decision.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
Indonesia , lumpy , skin , cows , disease , exports

Next In Aseanplus News

Asia sees ‘concerning’ rise in long payment delays amid turbulence: report
No details from China after Trump announces "done" trade deal
Malaysian movie Ejen Ali 2 is now raising the bar for animation movies in South-East Asia; rakes in more than RM52mil after just three weeks
Hong Kong girl, 17, rescued from fire ‘likely caused by power bank’
Air India AI 171 crash: Flight with 242 persons onboard crashed at a doctors' hostel, says police
Air India says people on crashed flight included Indians, British, Portuguese and a Canadian
Air India AI 171 crash: Pilots sent "Mayday call", then silence
Air India confirms Flight 171 Ahmedabad-London Gatwick in 'tragic accident'
Japan's close-range reconnaissance a security threat, China says
Taiwan jails Chinese ship captain for damaging undersea cables

Others Also Read