The government has to tread carefully in these waters. A wopping 60% of our cattle trade is done with Indonesia. Of course the government can't possibly stand for letting inhumane treatment of our exports happen. So what's to be done of it. Well so far we have suspended our live cattle exports to Indonesia. Which is all very well and good but what is to be the next step. Australia can't possibly subsidise that $410+ million dollars of live cattle imports to Indonesia with boxed meat. This should be a short term situation as the ban was proposed to be for only 6 months in hope that Indonesia will in fact change their standards in their abattoirs within that time. However, Indonesia may be seeking a cheaper (mind you more dangerous) cattle supply.
Currently Indonesia have a ban on importing cattle from countries such as India as their cattle is at a high risk of foot-and-mouth-disease. However, with Indonesia's current beef supply falling short by at least 25% as a result of Australians suspended trade, the Indonesian government are forced to reconsider their embargo from countries such as India. If this were to happen when the Australian Government withdraws their ban from exporting to Indonesia they may find that they no longer have a market for their cattle exports.
What is the Australian Government to do. It would clearly be wrong to want to withdraw the ban just out of fear of a loss of trade, it would also be a very unpopular thought to the public.
My solution... Australian, eat more beef before it goes back to Indonesia.
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