Australian cattle die on live export ship to Indonesia

A spokesperson said there was "no suggestion that exotic animal disease is involved" including foot and mouth disease or lumpy skin disease.

"We have been notified by a commercial exporter of an incident involving cattle deaths on a live export vessel exporting to Indonesia," the spokesperson said.

"Australia remains free of exotic animal diseases such as lumpy skin disease and foot and mouth disease."

The cattle were inspected as required under the Export Control Act 2020 before leaving Darwin on March 14.

The ship arrived in Indonesia on March 20.

The department said it is investigating the deaths as a "matter of priority".