Indonesia has threatened to ban Australian beef imports amid concerns some of the meat does not meet Islamic halal standards.
A large amount of Australian beef is being held at Jakarta's main port because the Islamic Ulema Council, the MUI, has declared it no longer recognises several of Australia's halal certifying bodies.
Indonesia imports an estimated 70,000 tonnes of beef from Australia and New Zealand every year. All beef imports have to be certified halal.
That means the meat has been taken from cattle slaughtered in a manner deemed suitable for consumption by Muslims.
The MUI decides which overseas institutions can certify the meat.
Indonesia this week temporarily banned beef imports from New Zealand after the MUI announced it no longer recognises any of the certifying bodies there.
