Letter: Australian Ambassador responds

Thu, 05/22/2008 11:00 AM | Reader's Forum

I refer to The Jakarta Post's special report on May 8, titled "Plan to Import Beef Sparks Debate" and the subsequent response on May 10 by Husni Hakim, special adviser to the ambassador, Embassy of Brazil, Jakarta.

Hakim suggests the graphic in the special report is misleading because it indicates prices for Brazilian and Australian beef are roughly comparable in some markets.

While it is difficult to compare beef and cattle between markets due to the differing quality of products available, recent market information indicates the prices of Brazilian and Australian cattle and subsequent beef products are roughly comparable in a number of markets.

Indeed, Australian exporters calculate that with the cheaper shipping costs from Australia due to our proximity, meat from Brazil into Indonesia may in fact be more expensive than the equivalent Australian product, based on current comparable livestock prices.

The Australian livestock export industry operates under some of the strictest regulations in the world and is recognized as having the world's best standards for livestock export. Australia is proud to be a long-standing partner of the Indonesian beef industry, as a supplier of both live cattle and quality halal beef products.

BILL FARMER
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia
Jakarta

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