Barantin Ready to Suspend Exports of Companies that Do Not Meet GACC Standards

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Quarantine Agency (Barantin) confirmed that it would temporarily suspend (suspend) the export activities of companies that did not immediately comply with the recommendations of the audit results of the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC).

Head of Barantin Abdul Kadir Karding said that this step is necessary to maintain the confidence of the Chinese market in Indonesian export commodities while protecting the reputation of the national quarantine system.

"International market confidence is an asset that must be maintained together. Therefore, Barantin will follow up on all audit recommendations quickly, transparently, and measurably so that Indonesian products continue to meet the requirements of the destination country," said Karding as quoted from an electronic message, Jakarta, Monday, July 27.

He emphasized that Barantin preferred to temporarily stop the company's exports that had not met the requirements rather than waiting for similar actions to be taken by the Chinese quarantine authorities.

"It's better for us to suspend it domestically than for the GACC to impose a suspension. This concerns inter-state relations and the credibility of Indonesian products," he said.

According to Karding, the GACC audit found a number of aspects that still need to be improved, such as the supervision system, food safety, product traceability, to the feasibility of the company's facilities and infrastructure.

One of the commodities of primary concern is the nest of the weaver bird, given that Indonesia is the main supplier of the product to the Chinese market.

He said that improving the governance of the palm civet industry was a priority because the sector absorbed a lot of labor while generating large foreign exchange for the country.

In addition to the walet commodity, Barantin will also strengthen supervision of fishery and plant commodities through the implementation of Corrective Action Plans, improvement of traceability systems, hygiene and sanitation supervision, laboratory strengthening, and cross-ministry coordination.

Karding emphasized that companies that do not carry out corrective actions in accordance with the audit recommendations will not be granted export permits until all requirements are met and verified.

He is optimistic that the implementation of audit recommendations consistently will strengthen the credibility of Indonesia's quarantine system, maintain access to the Chinese market, and increase the competitiveness of national products in the global market.