Animal Health Australia, Media Release, 1 August 2023
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been advised by the Indonesian Agriculture and Quarantine Agency that LSD has been detected in a small number of exported Australian cattle in Indonesia after those cattle had arrived and spent time in Indonesia. Given the presence of the disease in Indonesia, positive results in Australian cattle post arrival are not unexpected.
Australia is continuing to work closely with the Indonesian Agriculture and Quarantine Agency to provide assurance that all animals exported from Australia comply with all Indonesian requirements, including being free of LSD.
Importantly, trade is and can continue to Indonesia from 28 Australian export establishments, however, there are 4 export establishments in Northern Australia who are working with the government to further ensure they are disease free.
In response to this event, the Australian Government has activated its Response Coordination Group, and held several briefings with State and Territory Ministers, their respective Chief Veterinary Officers, and peak industry bodies.
The government has also met with Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia and other departmental officers who are on the ground in Jakarta to allay any further fears that LSD is present in Australia and has begun the process of rapid diagnostic testing of cattle across Northern Australia to maintain our proof of absence.
