Cattle Importer says ESCAS System is Stressing Indonesia
AUSTRALIA - An Australian who imports live cattle in Indonesia says it could take years before the trade relationship between the two countries improves.
12 October 2012
1 minute read
Greg Pankhurst, the managing director of feedlotter Agro Giri Perkasa, told ABC Rural last year's live cattle suspension and new welfare requirements have damaged the partnership.
He says his company has spent more than $1 million to meet the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) requirements, but capacity is low at feedlots because Indonesia is sending a message to Australia.
"Currently, we're about 30 per cent; we haven't seen numbers that low in the last 10 years," he said.
"It's mainly the relationship between Australia and Indonesia I believe.
"Putting the ESCAS in place has caused a lot of stress on the Indonesian side and they've had it not so much forced on them, but it's been a requirement and so they've had to adhere to it."
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