The Vanuatu Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the country's cattle farmers weren't consulted by the government over the agreement to export livestock to Solomon Islands.

The chamber's Alick Berry says it is bringing farmers together to look into the agreement signed by the minister of agriculture, forestry, fisheries and livestock, James Ngwango, and his Solomon's counterpart.

Last week, Vanuatu made its first ever shipment of live cattle to the Solomons from Santo, with farmer, Peter Colmar, exporting 400 animals.

It has sparked criticism that Vanuatu should only export the processed meat and not live cattle.

Mr. Ngwango recently faced criticism from the people of Torba province after he granted a licence to a Chinese national to harvest 'beche de mer' in their region.