As Acting Deputy Secretary of the Agricultural Trade Group, I reconfirm that lumpy skin disease (LSD) has never been detected in Australia and we remain free from the disease.
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has been formally advised by the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS) in Malaysia that they have lifted the temporary suspension of live cattle and buffalo exports from Australia effective immediately.
This follows the provision of technical information to the Malaysian authorities to demonstrate Australia's freedom from LSD.
Malaysia's decision to lift the suspension is welcomed by the Australian Government and industry. It's a result of a well-coordinated whole-of-government effort, led by the department's technical and trade officials who helped formulate the evidence that led to this determination.
We understand Malaysian authorities will commence granting import permits to industry immediately.
The lifting of the suspension from Malaysian authorities further highlights Australia's robust systems for the ongoing monitoring of Australia's animal disease status, including LSD.
The department will continue to engage with stakeholders to provide the necessary assurances to our trading partners on our animal health status.
We thank our government partners in Malaysia for their continuous cooperation and are proud of our international partnership. We continue to learn from each other's experience to ensure best practice and results in trade resumption.
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.
There is no cause for concern for Australian cattle producers as Australia remains LSD-free.
Australia continues to trade livestock products internationally, including live cattle to Indonesia.
Nicola Hinder, Acting Deputy Secretary of the Agricultural Trade Group, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
