THE lifting of the live cattle export ban took a huge weight off the shoulders of Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott, he told the Daily News yesterday.

He said he held real fear for families in the north of the country who were looking at a bleak future while the Indonesian ban was in place.

“Certainly the lifting of the ban is welcome news for the beef industry, particularly in northern Australia.

“It will have taken a weight of the minds of many pastoralists.”

However, according to Mr Scott, the whole thing could have been avoided and it will still be an uphill battle to get the industry back to its best.

“By the time exports get going again we are going to be fast running into the warmer weather, which will make things difficult for mustering,” he said.

“I think we need to ensure our diplomatic ties in relation to Indonesia and make sure they see us as a reliable supplier rather than one that would without consultation ban the export of animals.”

On Wednesday night, Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig lifted the month-long ban and said safeguards were now in place to ensure the welfare of cattle processed in Indonesian abattoirs was protected.

The industry will now be able to apply for new export orders if it can prove animal welfare standards will be met in the Indonesian abattoirs which are slaughtering Australian cattle.

AgForce also welcomed the decision, warning it will be some time before northern cattle producers can truly get back to business.