The federal government has suspended exports of live cattle to a number of killing facilities in Indonesia following last night's exposure of brutal practices in some of the country's abattoirs.

Agriculture Minister Joe Ludwig said the decision was based on footage collected by Animals Australia that showed cattle being mistreated before slaughter.

Suffering... an Indonesian worker with an Australian-supplied restraint box. Credit:Animals Australia

"I have decided to halt the trade of live animals to the facilities identified by the footage," he said in a statement today.