THE Northern Territory Government is talking up the potential of Vietnam as a live cattle export market.
Primary Industry Minister Willem Westra van Holthe said in the next two to three years, Vietnam could develop into a significant export market of more than 10,000 head of cattle each year.
"This would see the market second only to Indonesia," Mr Westra van Holthe said.
“It’s fantastic news the Territory has tapped into this new market that will see 1500 head of cattle leave for Vietnam this week at a value of almost $1.5 million.
“Thursday’s shipment builds on a shipment of 945 cattle last September and a third shipment of 1500 is expected to be negotiated before the end of the year.”
The northern Australian live cattle export industry has been at crisis point since Federal Agriculture Minister Joe controversially placed a temporary ban on the trade with Indonesia in June last year.
The devastating ban not only ripped apart northern Australia's live export reliant cattle industry but also appeared to insult Indonesian officials resulting in significant restictions on the reoponed trade.
Yesterday, Mr Westra van Holthe and NT Trade Minister Peter Chandler met with Mr Nguyen Quang Trung, Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to reconfirm the Country Liberals Government’s commitment to this important trade relationship.
Mr Chandler said the Mills Government will continue to work with our Vietnamese counterparts, importers, exporters, the NT Cattleman’s Association and the NT Livestock Exports Association to support the long term growth of the live cattle export industry.
“The Mills Government is committed to broadening the Territory’s export base to make the pastoral sector more sustainable,” Mr Chandler said.
Later this week, ahead of the livestock shipment’s arrival in Vietnam, a delegation will travel to Ho Chi Minh City to undertake training with local staff to ensure the welfare, animal handling and dietary needs of livestock comply with Federal Government regulations.
Source: farmonline.com.au
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