Australia has lifted its four week-long ban on the export of live cattle to Indonesia, put in place amid concerns over cruelty toward the animals.
Although Australian officials have carried out no inspections of abattoirs in Indonesia, exporters will be able to apply for permits if they meet strict conditions to ensure that international animal welfare standards wll be met in the abattoirs where they send cattle to be slaughtered.
Announcing the lifting of the ban, Joe Ludwig, the Agriculture Minister, would not guarantee that no animal would be tortured but said he was confident that animals would not be mistreated.
“Given the size and nature of this industry there will be occasions ... examples where this system breaks down,” he said.
“But it’s important we have a robust system to monitor this so we can identify problems and respond to them,” he added.
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The ban was put in place after Australian television revealed how badly cattle were maltreated in Indonesian abattoirs. Shocking footage showed cattle having their tails broken and eyes gouged by abattoir workers. One of the most upsetting scenes was that of a steer trembling with terror as he watched the cattle in front of him slaughtered and dismembered.
However the ban, which was imposed soon after the documentary was aired, has devastated the Australian cattle industry, worth $320 million a year. Thousands of head of cattle have been stranded in a huge back-log as farmers protested to Canberra that they faced financial ruin if the ban continued.
It was lifted as cattle farmers threatened to begin shooting their own cattle because they could not afford to keep feeding them.
Luke Bowen, from the Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association, welcomed the lifting of the suspension but said problems still remained within the industry.
“It’s a signal of intent and that’s a good start, but clearly we are still facing, financially, economically, environmentally and socially across northern Australia, major challenges,” Mr Bowen told the ABC.
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Ranchers responded to the news with enthusiasm.
Jack Burton from Yeeda Station in Kimberley said: “We just cannot believe it, it just sent a shiver up our spine, we’re just blown away, it’s great news, the best news.”
Lang Coppin, who owns a cattle station in Western Australia’s Pilbara region,said: “At least it’s something and it’s going to stop a few people going to the wall.”
The Opposition has welcomed the lifting of the ban, but the RSPCA protested that the animals’ welfare could not be guaranteed.
Linda Chalk, a spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: “If animals are still going to have their throats cut while they’re conscious it’s a totally unacceptable animal welfare outcome and we’re very disappointed.”