The Australian red meat and livestock industry has announced the establishment of the Indonesia Live Cattle Industry Taskforce, a strategic advisory body designed to enhance collaboration, guide investment and strengthen outcomes in Australia's most important live cattle export market.
The Taskforce will work closely with the Livestock Export Program (LEP), which is jointly funded by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and LiveCorp, and administered by MLA. It focuses on improving animal health and welfare, biosecurity, supply chain efficiency and long-term market access.
Taskforce Chair Greg Pankhurst, who has been appointed by MLA, said the initiative reflects a coordinated commitment to supporting both Australian industry and Indonesian partners.
"Indonesia is a vital partner for northern Australian cattle producers, while our cattle and beef help underpin both food security and the resilience of Indonesian supply chains," Mr Pankhurst said.
"The Taskforce brings together experience, practical knowledge and strategic insight so that we can help shape programs that benefit producers, exporters and our Indonesian customers.
"This includes continued leadership in animal welfare, greater productivity in feedlots, stronger engagement with Indonesian government and industry and the long-term stability of the trade."
Indonesia's beef market relies on a combination of domestic production and imports, with around 19% of beef supplies produced from imported Australian bred cattle finished in Indonesian feedlots.
This provides direct employment and supports smallholder farmers who sell feed and other inputs, bolstering local communities.
Mr Pankhurst said Australia is a trusted supplier for Indonesian customers and strengthening this partnership is essential.
"The Taskforce will help MLA and LiveCorp ensure that programs align with Indonesia's needs. Our priority is to ensure that investments through the LEP are well targeted, effective and backed by strong collaboration with industry.
"It will provide strategic advice, engage with producers and exporters, review market challenges and support partnerships that improve welfare, commercial outcomes and community confidence, and monitor progress of LEP investments to identify future opportunities which benefit both countries."
The Indonesia Live Cattle Industry Taskforce brings together a balanced group of representatives from across the northern Australian cattle and the live export supply chain.
Membership includes a Chair appointed by MLA, representatives from cattle producers nominated by Cattle Australia and the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association, exporter representatives nominated by the Australian Livestock Exporters' Council, and organisational representatives from both LiveCorp and MLA.
The Taskforce also includes an MLA Secretariat to support coordination and governance. This structure ensures that producer, exporter and program delivery perspectives are all reflected in the Taskforce's advice and strategic guidance.
