SYDNEY, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Japan has agreed to resume imports of Australian live cattle, lifting a suspension imposed three months ago, Australia's deputy prime minister, Barnaby Joyce, said on Friday.
While Japan is Australia's No.2 market for beef, it is a small market for the country's live cattle exports, worth A$15 million ($11.45 million) last year. Australia mostly ships live cattle to South East Asia, with Indonesia the top destination.
"It is good news for the nation, reaffirming the strength of our live export industry which contributed A$1.9 billion ($1.45 billion) to the Australian economy in 2015/16 and employed more than 10,000 people within and beyond the industry," said Joyce.
Japan suspended imports of Australian live cattle in May after some livestock tested positive for Johne's disease, a contagious bacterial disease found in cattle that infects the small intestine and can be fatal to the animals. = 1.3098 Australian dollars)