Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said under the new policy, the Indonesian government was committed to import one cow intended for breeding for every five cattle imported for feedlotting.

Such a policy would hopefully encourage local-breeding businesses, increase cattle populations and in the end, reduce beef imports, he went on.

Enggartiasto further said as the main beef supplier to Indonesia, Australia had to find ways to adapt with the new policy. “So, we invited them to start investing in our breeding and cattle feed industry, as well as in the processed beef industry. They welcomed our invitation,” he said after a meeting with a delegation from the Australian Livestock Exporter Council at his office on Monday.

The council’s chairman Simon Crean said as the first start, they would find land suitable for their breeding business, in which they planned to partner with local small-scale breeders.

“There is a desire to involve small holders to develop their ability and to get themselves out of poverty by engaging them in our breeding activities. But before we can do so, there should be a partnership between government and business entities,” said Crean.

The Australian delegation and related Indonesian ministry staff have established a working group to discuss the investment plan. It is expected they can bring the proposal during President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s visit to Australia next month. (ebf)

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