ID :
189890
Mon, 06/20/2011 - 17:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/189890
The shortlink copeid
No quick restart of live cattle trade
A quick resumption of Australian live cattle exports to Indonesia appears unlikely as the countries are yet to reach agreement on animal welfare standards.
Australia will also not insist on the use of stun guns in Indonesian abattoirs under standards put to officials in Jakarta on Monday.
Speaking after a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Suswono and other officials, Australian Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig said discussions aimed at resuming trade had been positive.
"We had very constructive dialogue on a range of issues but very importantly both of us see the mutually beneficial outcome of opening the live animal export industry from Australia to Indonesia as soon as practicable," Senator Ludwig said after the 90-minute meeting with the Indonesian agriculture minister.
However, it also appears a quick resolution to the matter is unlikely with Senator Ludwig conceding an Australian veterinary team, which was due to begin inspections of Indonesian abattoirs last week, would remain locked out of facilities until the agreement on animal welfare standards is finalised.
"When they are agreed, because it's important to go through that consulting process, when they are agreed we can then look at how they can work in the field with Indonesian authorities as a partnership in ensuring two things - that we continue to support the live animal export industry into Indonesia, and we continue to ensure animal welfare outcomes," he said.
"We have already provided a draft guideline of the OEI (World Organisation of Animal Health) standards and we are now working very co-operatively to achieve an early resolution."
When asked whether Australia would insist on the mandatory use of stun guns, Senator Ludwig said only that the guidelines put to Suswono and other officials would "encourage" their use.
"What we have asked for clearly is the OEI guidelines, which is the internationally agreed guidelines. Those guidelines encourage stunning," he said.
"They do need to be operationalised and that is the technical detail we have been talking about that we need to agree on.
"That will give us the opportunity of encouraging stunning and for industry ... where the OEI guidelines are met, they can encourage stunning to ensure appropriate animal welfare outcomes."
An Australian official later said that the mandatory use of stun guns would not be included in the final agreement on welfare standards.
The Indonesian agriculture minister appeared to completely rule out stun guns.
"Stunning is not necessary," Suswono said.
"Of course it's a trade, basically it's business. It's up to the traders and importers."
Senator Ludwig, who earlier held talks with Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, was to meet members of the Indonesian Parliament's Commission Four later on Monday for further discussions on cattle trade, before likely returning to Australia on Tuesday.
The meeting with Indonesian Agriculture Minister Suswono and other officials comes amid dissatisfaction in Jakarta over Australia's handling of the issue.
Suswono last week criticised the fact that Senator Ludwig had failed to consult his government before the suspension was imposed in the wake of a report on the ABC's Four Corners that highlighted abusive practices in Indonesian abattoirs.
Australia will also not insist on the use of stun guns in Indonesian abattoirs under standards put to officials in Jakarta on Monday.
Speaking after a meeting with his Indonesian counterpart Suswono and other officials, Australian Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig said discussions aimed at resuming trade had been positive.
"We had very constructive dialogue on a range of issues but very importantly both of us see the mutually beneficial outcome of opening the live animal export industry from Australia to Indonesia as soon as practicable," Senator Ludwig said after the 90-minute meeting with the Indonesian agriculture minister.
However, it also appears a quick resolution to the matter is unlikely with Senator Ludwig conceding an Australian veterinary team, which was due to begin inspections of Indonesian abattoirs last week, would remain locked out of facilities until the agreement on animal welfare standards is finalised.
"When they are agreed, because it's important to go through that consulting process, when they are agreed we can then look at how they can work in the field with Indonesian authorities as a partnership in ensuring two things - that we continue to support the live animal export industry into Indonesia, and we continue to ensure animal welfare outcomes," he said.
"We have already provided a draft guideline of the OEI (World Organisation of Animal Health) standards and we are now working very co-operatively to achieve an early resolution."
When asked whether Australia would insist on the mandatory use of stun guns, Senator Ludwig said only that the guidelines put to Suswono and other officials would "encourage" their use.
"What we have asked for clearly is the OEI guidelines, which is the internationally agreed guidelines. Those guidelines encourage stunning," he said.
"They do need to be operationalised and that is the technical detail we have been talking about that we need to agree on.
"That will give us the opportunity of encouraging stunning and for industry ... where the OEI guidelines are met, they can encourage stunning to ensure appropriate animal welfare outcomes."
An Australian official later said that the mandatory use of stun guns would not be included in the final agreement on welfare standards.
The Indonesian agriculture minister appeared to completely rule out stun guns.
"Stunning is not necessary," Suswono said.
"Of course it's a trade, basically it's business. It's up to the traders and importers."
Senator Ludwig, who earlier held talks with Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, was to meet members of the Indonesian Parliament's Commission Four later on Monday for further discussions on cattle trade, before likely returning to Australia on Tuesday.
The meeting with Indonesian Agriculture Minister Suswono and other officials comes amid dissatisfaction in Jakarta over Australia's handling of the issue.
Suswono last week criticised the fact that Senator Ludwig had failed to consult his government before the suspension was imposed in the wake of a report on the ABC's Four Corners that highlighted abusive practices in Indonesian abattoirs.
