Bulog Brings Good News: Imported Frozen Buffalo Meat Free From PMK

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Perum Bulog ensures that imported frozen buffalo meat is free from foot and mouth disease (FMD) with the results of the meat sample being proven to be PCR negative from the Center for Veterinary Farma, Ministry of Agriculture.

"Thank God, the results of the PCR test yesterday, Saturday, June 6, came out with negative results, so Bulog is even more confident in distributing this frozen buffalo meat commodity to meet the needs of meat in the country," said Bulog Public Service Supply Chain Director Mokhamad Suyamto in a statement quoted from Between, Tuesday 28 June.

Suyamto said this test was carried out to reassure the condition of frozen buffalo meat imported by Bulog from India and also to respond to the widespread news about FMD that attacks cattle in several areas. Bulog conducted a PCR test at the Veterinary Farma Center (Pusvetma) on June 2, 2022.

He explained that Bulog routinely conducts laboratory tests, including PMK tests, to ensure that frozen meat from India meets the health requirements set by the government.

Suyamto added that prior to the FMD outbreak, Bulog implemented a buffalo meat importation mechanism that had passed verification from the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture. Upon arrival in Indonesia, the buffalo meat is immediately inspected for each container by the Tanjung Priok Quarantine Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and given a certificate by the agency.

"Before shipping to Indonesia, it is confirmed that the buffalo meat imported by Bulog is only carried out by suppliers who have received halal certification from the Indonesian Ulema Council. Besides that, it has also met the animal health criteria and is declared fit for human consumption as stated in a health certificate from the Veterinary Institute in India," said Suyamto.

The government has assigned Perum Bulog to import 100 thousand tons of frozen buffalo meat in 2022 as an alternative choice for consumers to meet the availability of meat and maintain the stabilization of meat prices at the consumer level.

With the current stock of frozen buffalo meat controlled by Bulog of 46 thousand tons, Bulog has succeeded in helping to overcome the need for a surge in frozen meat demand so that during Ramadan and Eid and the price of meat can be stable.