In its efforts to invest in capacity building for cattle breeding whilst aligning to PNG government’s policy direction to increase cattle numbers under the National breeding program, the Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an Australian exporter to pave the way for the importation of live cattle, especially pregnant heifers from Queensland, Australia.

This comes just two weeks after an official visit by the Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC) Chairman David Galvin, who acclaimed PNG’s potential to breed more than a million head of cattle in less than 20 years.

The MoU, which was signed on the 24th of November 2024 between LDC and Bondstock Rural Exports (BRE) which is one of Australia’s leading live cattle exporters, to facilitate the importation of breeder cattle from Australia pending the establishment of appropriate biosecurity requirements.

The MoU resulted from the establishment of initial dialogue between the Ministry of Livestock, and LDC Board earlier this year after LDC has taken back and reclaimed most of its ranches from settlers and rehabilitated them to operational status as directed by the Prime Minister a couple of years ago. LDC is also setting up the first Post Entry Quarantine facility at Tiaba outside Port Moresby to process the importation of breeder cattle from North Queensland under BRE.

Livestock Development Corporation (LDC) Board Chaiman, Martin Ginyaru said this MoU indicates progress in the revitalization of the livestock industry to ensure PNG attains a certain level of self-reliance in meat production and also to promote food security.

The Chairman elaborated that the event caps off a steady working relationship between BRE and LDC aligned to delivering key government policy priorities for the livestock industry under the MTDP IV 2023 – 2027.  Mr. Ginyaru further stated that this milestone builds on with the bilateral relationship between Australia and Papua New Guinea, as the MoU requires all parties to work in collaboration with respective state governments.

While acknowledging the trust and relationship cemented through the MoU between the parties, Bondstock Rural Exports Director, Ian Bradford said he was very impressed with the level of progress on the ground under the leadership of the LDC Managing Director Terry Koim who has re-developed those once rundown ranches beyond his initial expectation before he came to PNG, and he further confirmed that LDC is ready to receive the breeders from Australia.

Mr. Bradford stressed that he is looking forward to deliver the first shipment of 1200 breeder cattle into PNG in early 2025 once all outstanding biosecurity protocols between Australia and PNG are resolved.

Mr. Bradford who was in the country for four days had the opportunity to visit LDC facilities in Central, Morobe and the East Sepik provinces.

Ends…IWW

L- R. LDC MD Terry Koim, BRE Director Ian Bradshaw and LDC Chairman Martin Gynauru at the signing ceremony.