Majority Of Pastoralists Struggle With Live Export Ban

AUSTRALIA - More than 85 per cent of pastoralists are struggling financially since the suspension of the live cattle trade to Indonesia, with more than half saying they have had to sack staff reports ABC News.
calendar icon 21 July 2011
clock icon 1 minute read

The WA Department of Agriculture and Food survey of 37 pastoralists showed the majority are concerned about their limited cash flow, with some indicating it will force them to seek off-station work, move into a caretaker mode or "walk off the lease altogether."

Kevin Brockhurst from Larrawa Station in Western Australia says he's lost faith in being able to sell any cattle to Indonesia this year.

"Basically what we've done is tip cattle back out into the paddock because we feel there's no market for them at the moment. They're cattle which should have gone onto the boats to Indonesia, but we've now put them back into the paddock, Mr Brockhurst said. "And by the time we bring them back in again they're going to be over the weight limit for Indonesia."

More than half of the pastoralists surveyed said they were concerned that not being able to sell cattle would lead to over-grazing.

Almost 70 per cent of pastoralists said they were actively seeking alternate markets, such as Egypt and Malaysia.

However, some hinted they were concerned about the serious lack of alternatives, with responses including, "send them anywhere", "don't know" and "no (market) for this type of cattle"."

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