In The Aftermath Of The Cesium-137 Defamation Issue, The Government Forms A Task Force To Protect The Shrimp Industry
Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan said the government formed a Task Force (Satgas) as a form of full attention to the issue of alleged Cesium-137 (Cs-137) pollution in exports of frozen shrimp from Cikande, Banten.
For your information, exports of frozen shrimp from Cikande, Banten, are suspected of being polluted by Cesium-137 (Cs-137) and led to the policy of recalling a number of containers by the United States.
"To ensure the quick, coordinated, and comprehensive handling, the Government has formed a Task Force for Handling Hazard Management of Radionuclide Radiation and Health at Affected Risky Communities," he said after a coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta, Friday, September 12.
Zulhas said the Task Force aims to carry out investigations, diplomacy to restore international market confidence.
"As the Head of the Task Force, I make sure the government moves quickly, carefully, and according to international standards. Food safety remains a top priority. We are here to protect fishermen, workers, and business actors from the impact of this issue," he said.
In an effort to maintain international market confidence, continued Zulhas, the government has carried out active communication with various international institutions, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the International Food Safety Authority Network (INFOSAN).
Zulhas said the diplomatic path was also pursued by the United States and a potential trading partner country to ensure this issue could be resolved fairly and proportionally, without harming Indonesian fishermen, workers, and business actors.
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Furthermore, Zulhas said this quick step is also a form of the government's responsibility to ensure that the Indonesian shrimp industry remains safe, healthy, and competitive in the global market.
"The shrimp industry is a national pride asset that absorbs hundreds of thousands of workers and contributes greatly to the country's foreign exchange," he said.