Indonesia pauses some Australian cattle imports after cows found with LSD

By Reuters July 30, 2023 | 06:25 pm PT

Cows are seen in an enclosure at a livestock export yard in Noonamah, about 50Km south of the northern Australian city of Darwin. Photo by Reuters/Tim Wimborne

Indonesia has paused live cattle imports from four Australian facilities after lumpy skin disease (LSD) was detected in a small number of cattle some time after arrival, the Australian government said.

Australian officials were working with Indonesia to reassure market participants that all animals exported from Australia complied with Indonesian requirements, including being free of LSD, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said in a statement on Sunday.

Rapid diagnostic testing of cattle has begun to help restore exports from the impacted facilities, he said.

LSD, which causes blisters and reduces milk production, is a highly infectious viral disease affecting cattle and buffalo that is transmitted by insect biting but which does not pose a risk to humans.

Australia is free of LSD and cattle exports to Indonesia continues from other facilities, Watt said.

Given the presence of LSD in Indonesia, positive results in cattle after reaching Indonesia were not unexpected, Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer Mark Schipp said. LSD was first reported in livestock in Indonesia early last year.

Indonesia is the largest market for Australian live cattle exports, accounting for about 56% in 2021–22, data showed, worth about A$900 million ($600 million). It is a trade that Australia's north heavily relies on.

Australia did not specify the number of shipments that will be impacted by Indonesia's decision.