gillard questioned

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/30/3257090.htm?section=justin


Gillard questioned

Meanwhile, a vet specialising in the treatment of cattle has confronted Prime Minister Julia Gillard in the Northern Territory city of Palmerston last night.

Gihan Jayawardne presented last night's community cabinet meeting statistics on how the 500,000 cattle that have not been exported to Indonesia would be fed.

He says there is not enough grass in the rangelands to feed them for the rest of the dry season and urged Ms Gillard reinstate the trade immediately.

"If it doesn't until the end of the dry season, I estimate an extra 1 per cent death rate in breeder cows and their calves dying of starvation because of your decision," he told the PM.

Ms Gillard replied that the Government is working to ensure the suspension of live cattle exports lasts for not one day longer than necessary.

She says vets have been working with the government to ensure animal welfare both in Indonesia and for cattle stranded in Northern Australia on their way to export.

"For some of the statistics in your question you've made an assumption about how long we'll be in this situation," she said.

"I'm not going to stand here as Prime Minister and make grand representations about deadlines and when we will be able to resume the trade."