NT Minister for Primary Industries Willem Westra van Holthe has welcomed the news that the Indonesian Government has agreed to increase their live cattle import cap by 25,000 with no weight restriction.
"Pastoralists will know that 25,000 is not a large number, but it is a step in the right direction as Australia seeks to repair our relationship with Indonesia in the wake of the Federal Government’s ban on live cattle export," Mr. Westra van Holthe said.
"I have been campaigning vigorously on this issue since the ban.
“Recently I wrote to Prime Minister Rudd asking him to issue an apology to Indonesia for the government's knee-jerk reaction; a decision that devastated an industry that is vital to Australia's export economy.
"Since being the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries I have travelled to Indonesia three times and held high level talks with their government to discuss cattle exports in an effort to repair our relationship.
"I will continue to go into bat for the cattle export industry - and I hope my colleagues in Canberra realise the importance of this issue as we rapidly approach the federal election.
"Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has outlined his plan for Northern Australia.
"Cattle play a huge role in that plan as we seek to grow the Territory into a centre for agricultural development and a source of food for our neighbouring regions."
