In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, Elders has advised that work on its application to secure a new export permit for the Indonesian market is already well advanced.
Elders managing director Malcolm Jackman described the lifting of the ban as very important news for the industry and cattle farming communities across the Top End.
He said the company hoped to send a shipment of cattle to Indonesia in the first week of August.
Elders was well advanced in completing the auditing and verification processes required to satisfy the Federal Government’s requirements for exporters to demonstrate a fully assured supply chain.
“There is a team on the ground in Indonesia this week completing independent third party audit of our entire Indonesia supply chain,” Mr Jackman said.
“This complements the auditing and verification that was already in place in our IS0 9001 accredited Indonesian abattoir.
“It will provide the needed third party certification of our Indonesian system which is transparent and provides full traceability.”
“Elders has been working extremely hard with the Federal Government and the Department of Agriculture to demonstrate Elders’ capacity to meet the Government’s animal welfare, tracing and supply chain assurance requirements.
Elders will also commence the process of applying for the necessary import permits from the
Indonesian Government and access to shipping capacity.
The August time-frame reflects the time required for the completion of the audit report and documentation for the Australian government, consideration by the Indonesian government of import permit application and the completion of transport logistics.
“Logistical considerations mean that the restoration of trade will be a gradual process, but this first step is clearly the most important for many reasons,” Mr Jackman said.
“We are keenly looking forward to being able to secure the necessary approvals, recommence operations and get on with rebuilding trade with Northern Australia’s most important livestock market.
“Elders has a long-standing and valuable relationship with Indonesia and we look forward to rapidly re-establishing this important trade channel.”
Elders shares rebounded by 6.4pc to 41.5c following the release of Elders' statement yesterday.
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