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Australia’s Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig has described discussions with Indonesian officials aimed at resuming live cattle exports as constructive.

Speaking as he arrived at the Agriculture Ministry in Jakarta on Monday afternoon, Senator Ludwig said it was hoped the trade would resume as soon as possible.

He had spent the morning meeting with Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Pangestu, as well as other officials.

“We’ve had constructive discussions today,” he said.

“What we’re working on of course is a mutually beneficial trade and we (would) certainly appreciate if it can resume as early as possible while maintaining animal welfare outcomes.”

However, Senator Ludwig refused to answer when asked whether he should have visited Indonesia sooner to resolve the matter.

The visit comes after little headway was made last week in negotiations between an Australian team and Indonesian officials on welfare standards in slaughterhouses.

There were also plans for a joint Indonesian-Australian veterinary team to begin inspecting Indonesian abattoirs last week, but so far no inspections have been carried out.

Indonesian Agriculture Minister Suswono last week voiced anger at the fact Senator Ludwig had failed to consult his government before Australia decided to suspend live cattle exports to Indonesia.

Senator Ludwig was hoping to meet with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa later on Monday.

There is mounting pressure on the Australian government from industry to lift the suspension, imposed following a report on the ABC’s Four Corners program which highlighted abusive practices in Indonesian abattoirs.

The Greens and animal welfare groups, however, have called for an end to the live cattle trade.

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