010427 Demand for Australian Cattle HighApril 15, 2001Brisbane, Australia - Australian farmers are running out of cows because demand has risen sharply after livestock diseases crippled the European beef industry. Despite good seasonal conditions, the demand for live cattle for overseas markets was likely to outstrip production, said Queensland state Primary Industries Minister Henry Palaszczuk. Palaszczuk said the increased demand was driven by the foot-and-mouth outbreak and mad cow disease in Europe. While sympathetic to beef producers in Europe, “this has created opportunities for our beef producers,” he said. Industry group Agforce said Wednesday that Australia was seeking to boost live cattle sales to Asian markets including Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. Queensland is Australia's biggest beef state with cattle and beef exports worth $63 million last year.
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