E. Java imports cattle

JAKARTA (JP): East Java annually imports about 20,000 Australian cattle, far less than its import demand of 50,000, the head of the local farming agency, Padang Bambang Wiryono, said in Surabaya yesterday.

"We are trying to minimize imports to encourage local farmers to increase production," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said East Java had about 3.6 million cattle and only 550,000 could be slaughtered each year.

"We supply about 150,000 heads to Jakarta and Kalimantan per year even though consumption in East Java alone is estimated at about 450,000 per year. Thus, we experience a shortage of 50,000 head."

Padang said Australian beef was sold at prices much lower than domestic beef because Australian ranchers bred their cattle efficiently.

"We are trying to limit imports to help maintain the competitiveness of domestic beef," he said.

Indonesia's cattle population is expected to grow by 5.5 percent this year from 1996's 11.9 million. But only 14.5 percent (1.7 million cattle) will be fit for slaughter this year.

Indonesia was a major importer of Australian cattle last year importing 380,000. This year Indonesia will import 450,000 cattle from Australia. (10)