JAKARTA, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has officially lifted import quotas on live cattle in a move to strengthen food security, a minister announced on Sunday.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said the government aimed to ensure the availability of milk and meat for public consumption. The policy was also expected to support the growth of the domestic dairy processing industry by enabling increased production and improved product quality.
"This is now wide open. Imports of live cattle, for slaughter, for fattening, or for dairy purposes, are all free. We're removing the quotas," Hasan said at an event in Jakarta.
He said that the increased importation was intended to reinforce the entire supply chain, from upstream production to downstream distribution.
"There are no more quotas. Whether for fattening or milk production, live cattle imports are now free," he said.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono announced that the government planned to import 2 million live cattle over the next five years.
The decision aligned with President Prabowo Subianto's initiative to implement a nationwide free nutritious meal program for children and youth, which has significantly raised demand for food supplies. ■
