REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, CANBERRA - Australian live cattle exporters say the trade is still operating normally, despite an Indonesian media report that the spying row with Australia will bring a halt to orders. 

Earlier this week, Indonesia's foreign minister Marty Natalegawa said Indonesia wanted to rebuild trust with Australia after revelations Australia targeted Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, his wife and senior ministers in a phone-tapping operation in 2009.

As quoted by ABC News on Wednesday, Chairman of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council, Peter Kane, said he had not heard of any slowdown in the live cattle trade to Indonesia. Australian exporters, he said, were busier than ever, and if there had been any indication of Indonesia cutting back on trade, he would have heard about it.

Responding to the Indonesia media reports, Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said Australia respected the right of the Indonesian Government to make decisions about its trade.

"However, we will continue to promote Australia as a reliable and quality supplier of Australian beef, live cattle and other commodities," Mr Joyce said. "We are pleased to see trade in live cattle is continuing normally at the moment"

"I look forward to continuing to work with the Indonesian Government and visiting Indonesia at the earliest opportunity."

Mr Joyce did not indicate whether Australia had officially sought or received clarification on the issue from the Indonesian Government.

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