The Indonesian government has agreed to lift restriction on the importation of US beef over an international ruling that the mad cow disease is under control in the United States, a senior official said Tuesday.

"Yes, the import restriction has been lifted because (the mad cow disease) was declared under control in the United States," Agriculture Minister Anton Apriyantono told leading news website Detikcom.

"However, beef entry to Indonesia must meet our requirements."

The minister said earlier Indonesia cannot rely solely on Australia and New Zealand to fill the growing beef demand here.

Indonesia along with many other countries have banned US beef import since 2004 for mad cow fear.

Source: Xinhua