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Australia must look beyond Indonesia for cattle exports, Barnaby Joyce says Australia must look beyond Indonesia for cattle exports, Barnaby Joyce says
(35 minutes later)
Australia will have to look to other export markets after Indonesia slashed the number of cattle it would take in the July quarter, agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce has said.Australia will have to look to other export markets after Indonesia slashed the number of cattle it would take in the July quarter, agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce has said.
Indonesia told Australian exporters it would be taking only 50,000 head of cattle this quarter. Last quarter it took 250,000.Indonesia told Australian exporters it would be taking only 50,000 head of cattle this quarter. Last quarter it took 250,000.
Joyce admitted the reduction was “disappointing”.Joyce admitted the reduction was “disappointing”.
“I’m not here to comment on the internal operations of another nation,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “Obviously I would like the opportunity as soon as I can to meet up with the respective ministers responsible in Indonesia for the importation of live cattle.”“I’m not here to comment on the internal operations of another nation,” he told reporters on Tuesday. “Obviously I would like the opportunity as soon as I can to meet up with the respective ministers responsible in Indonesia for the importation of live cattle.”
He said Australia would be looking further afield for new markets.He said Australia would be looking further afield for new markets.
“It’s my responsibility to try and find an alternative venue for those cattle,” the agriculture minister said. “I’m working diligently towards an imminent signing of another agreement.“It’s my responsibility to try and find an alternative venue for those cattle,” the agriculture minister said. “I’m working diligently towards an imminent signing of another agreement.
Related: Indonesia's 80% cut in cattle imports takes Australian industry by surpriseRelated: Indonesia's 80% cut in cattle imports takes Australian industry by surprise
“We should be also working towards so that in events such as this, if required we have alternate venues for the product,” he said.“We should be also working towards so that in events such as this, if required we have alternate venues for the product,” he said.
He also wants to press Jakarta for yearly, rather than quarterly, agricultural quotas.He also wants to press Jakarta for yearly, rather than quarterly, agricultural quotas.
“I think the annual quotas would give us more resilience and predictability. The quarterly quota system brings a form of uncertainty,” Joyce said.“I think the annual quotas would give us more resilience and predictability. The quarterly quota system brings a form of uncertainty,” Joyce said.
The Indonesian government has given no reason for slashing the quotas, but president Joko Widodo indicated after taking office late last year that he wanted the country to be self-sufficient in beef production within 12 months. The Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, indicated after taking office late last year that he wanted the country to be self-sufficient in beef production within 12 months.
Senior government ministers have downplayed suggestions that the reduction in quotas was caused by political tension between Canberra and Jakarta.Senior government ministers have downplayed suggestions that the reduction in quotas was caused by political tension between Canberra and Jakarta.
The federal government had urged Indonesia to stop the execution of Bali Nine drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who had been on death row since 2006. The pair were nevertheless executed by firing squad in April. Indonesia’s ambassador to Australia told the ABC late on Tuesday that the decision was “not in any way related to political conditions nor to the state of Australia-Indonesia relations”.
The ambassador’s statement said decisions on quarterly import permits were “made on the basis of economic considerations, with the aim of maintaining the right supply of meat for Indonesian consumers”.
The Australian government had urged Indonesia to stop the execution of Bali Nine drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, who had been on death row since 2006. The pair were nevertheless executed by firing squad in April.
“Barnaby Joyce has informed us that he is endeavouring to speak with his counterpart in Indonesia as soon as possible to get some greater clarity about [the quota cuts],” treasurer Joe Hockey said. “Recent events involving the two executions have not had any impact on this decision in Indonesia.”“Barnaby Joyce has informed us that he is endeavouring to speak with his counterpart in Indonesia as soon as possible to get some greater clarity about [the quota cuts],” treasurer Joe Hockey said. “Recent events involving the two executions have not had any impact on this decision in Indonesia.”
Related: Scorched earth: at the epicentre of the Queensland drought, a family sells the last of their cattleRelated: Scorched earth: at the epicentre of the Queensland drought, a family sells the last of their cattle
Foreign minister Julie Bishop told reporters in Canberra the matter was not a political one.Foreign minister Julie Bishop told reporters in Canberra the matter was not a political one.
“I have reassurances from my counterparts and it’s a trade matter and negotiations will continue,” she said.“I have reassurances from my counterparts and it’s a trade matter and negotiations will continue,” she said.
She blamed Labor for weakening ties between the two countries when it temporarily halted trade in 2011 following evidence that cattle were being mistreated in Indonesian slaughterhouses.She blamed Labor for weakening ties between the two countries when it temporarily halted trade in 2011 following evidence that cattle were being mistreated in Indonesian slaughterhouses.
“It did really damage the relationship. It really did damage the trade. We’ve worked very hard to restore the trade,” she said.“It did really damage the relationship. It really did damage the trade. We’ve worked very hard to restore the trade,” she said.
Labor said issues such as turning back boatloads of asylum seekers had damaged the relationship between the countries since the Coalition came to power in 2013.Labor said issues such as turning back boatloads of asylum seekers had damaged the relationship between the countries since the Coalition came to power in 2013.
“We do know the relationship with Indonesia has deteriorated since Tony Abbott was elected but these things are far more complex,” its agriculture spokesman, Joel Fitzgibbon, said. “What we do know is that it is a relationship that needs constant care and attention. It’s very clear that the prime minister, the trade minister [Andrew Robb] and the agriculture minister have been asleep at the wheel.” .“We do know the relationship with Indonesia has deteriorated since Tony Abbott was elected but these things are far more complex,” its agriculture spokesman, Joel Fitzgibbon, said. “What we do know is that it is a relationship that needs constant care and attention. It’s very clear that the prime minister, the trade minister [Andrew Robb] and the agriculture minister have been asleep at the wheel.” .
Fitzgibbon highlighted the rift within the Coalition on the proposed Shenhua mine, saying that the government had taken its “eyes off the ball” when it came to live cattle exports.Fitzgibbon highlighted the rift within the Coalition on the proposed Shenhua mine, saying that the government had taken its “eyes off the ball” when it came to live cattle exports.
Indonesia is Australia’s biggest cattle market, accounting for 56% of exports. The Indonesian market grew by 22% between 2013 and 2014.Indonesia is Australia’s biggest cattle market, accounting for 56% of exports. The Indonesian market grew by 22% between 2013 and 2014.
Just under 1.3m cattle were exported in total in 2014, and nearly 170,000 from January to April this year.Just under 1.3m cattle were exported in total in 2014, and nearly 170,000 from January to April this year.