Grotesque images of Australian cattle being beaten, tormented and hacked at with blunt knives by Indonesian butchers has led to Australia suspending live cattle shipments to some abattoirs in Indonesia.

An ABC Four Corners documentary broadcast in the weekend in Australia contained footage of cattle having their eyes gouged, dragged on the ground with broken legs, and some cattle possibly still conscious while being dismembered.

The show caused outrage in Australia and the live export industry is now under threat with politicians attempting to introduce bills to ban it outright.

Animals are exported live to Muslim nations to meet religious demands.  

Australia’s live cattle trade with Indonesia is worth $AU300 million annually.

New Zealand tightened its live export rules four years ago, following similar concerns for animals’ welfare.