The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has been advised by the Indonesian Agriculture and Quarantine Agency (IAQA) that Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) has been detected in a small number of Australian cattle exported to Indonesia—after those cattle had arrived and spent some time in Indonesia.

“Australia is and remains free from lumpy skin disease, as confirmed today by Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer,” RMAC Chairman, Mr John McKillop, said.

“The robust systems that Australia has for the ongoing monitoring of our animal disease status supports us to trade around the world.

“We respect the right of Indonesia’s technical authorities to seek relevant assurances that live cattle exported from Australia comply with their animal health requirements. This includes being free of LSD.”

NFF President, Ms Fiona Simson, said the industry and the states and territories are working closely with the Australian Government to provide the assurances sought by Indonesia’s authorities.

“In the meantime, Australian livestock products continue to be traded, including live cattle to Indonesia where the trade remains open,” Ms Simson said.

Ms Simson said that due to the government-to-government nature of the unfolding situation, and its highly technical nature, all enquiries should be directed to media@aff.gov.au at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

“The Department and the Minister have been very proactive in providing industry with information on this developing situation and the Department continues to be the agency responsible for communicating the situation,” Ms Simson said.

Red meat and livestock industry stakeholder groups met this afternoon to discuss the communication from the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture and Fisheries regarding the live export of Australian cattle to Indonesia.

The groups met as part of a standing industry response taskforce that includes: The Red Meat Advisory Council, National Farmers’ Federation, Cattle Australia, Australian Lot Feeders' Association, Australian Meat Industry Council, Australian Livestock Exporters Council, LiveCorp and Meat & Livestock Australia.

Industry and stakeholder groups will be providing the information to their members as soon as practicable, using the official information from DAFF.