Brisbane 28 May 2013. Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh has welcomed Indonesia’s decision to increase beef imports.

Mr McVeigh, who visited Indonesia two weeks ago in a bid to rebuild trade relations, said Jakarta’s overnight decision to lift restrictions on prime cuts of boxed beef and bring forward the July-August-September quota for live cattle imports would give heart to Queensland producers and exporters.

“Right at the moment our beef industry needs every bit of good news it can get,” Mr McVeigh said.

“This decision from Indonesia, which up to now has been scaling back imports, will give our producers, processors and exporters hope and confidence for the future.

“Our northern industry is really struggling from the wet season failure, fires and loss of access to the Indonesian live trade which has really slumped since 2011.

“Although we are still waiting for full details, Indonesian Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan’s announcement of open access for air-freighted, prime cuts of boxed beef, at least until the end of the year is very welcome.

“I also welcome reports that the July-August-September quota for live cattle imports will be brought forward by a month.”

Mr McVeigh said during meetings with Indonesian Minister for State Owned Enterprises Dahlan Iskan, Vice-Minister for Trade Bayu Krisnamurthi and Agriculture Minister Suswono, he was given strong indications that restrictions would be eased to redress soaring beef prices, particularly for the Ramadan religious festival.

“We’ll have to wait and see what this ultimately means, but bringing forward the quota by one month could mean earlier shipments of 20,000 to 25,000 head,” Mr McVeigh said.

“Again, I welcome the announcement from Indonesian Trade Minister Gita and look forward to re-building trade relations with Indonesia that were severely damaged by the Gillard Government’s knee-jerk decision to suspend the live trade in May 2011.”