The Northern Territory Government has announced $300,000 in funding to create a Live Animals Export Market Development Unit.

Minister for Primary Industry and Fisheries, Willem Westra van Holthe  said the investment is designed to stimulate live export industry growth.

The unit will sit within DPIF’s Pastoral Production Team and will focus on emerging live animal trade markets in Asia.

“The live animal export industry is still hurting from the Commonwealth Government’s 2011 ban,” Mr Westra van Holthe said in a media release issued to announce the funding.

“Many established pastoral operations have been forced to put their pastoral properties on the market.

“This will be the first time the Department has been given a team and resources to focus on emerging markets and seek out foreign opportunity for our local cattle producers.

“This is about planning for the future, satisfying current market demands whilst exploring new market potential.”

“Asia is hungry for beef and the Northern Territory has the pastoral land and experience to satisfy new markets.”