MALAYSIA has lifted the temporary suspension of live cattle and buffalo imports from Australia effective immediately.

The temporary ban was imposed in early August after neighbouring Indonesia earlier decided to halt imports from four Australian facilities over concerns about lumpy skin disease (LSD) in July.

In a statement released yesterday (Sept 5), the Australian Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department said the Malaysian move follows the provision of technical information to the Malaysian authority demonstrating Australia’s freedom from LSD.

It added that the department has been advised that Malaysian authorities will commence granting import permits to the industry immediately.

“I reconfirm that (LSD) has never been detected in Australia and we remain free from the disease,” said deputy secretary of the Agricultural Trade Group Nicola Hinder in the statement.

It said that the Aussie department has been formally advised by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in Malaysia that it has lifted the temporary suspension of live cattle and buffalo exports from Australia effective immediately.

LSD is a highly-infectious viral disease of cattle and buffalo that is transmitted by biting insects — it is not a disease that poses a risk to humans.

Malaysia has imported in the vicinity of 20,000 to 30,000 head of cattle from Australia annually in recent years, but has only imported 2,328 head in the first six months of 2023, reported Beef Central, an online portal on the Australian beef industry. — TMR / pic BLOOMBERG