The Government Will Form A Task Force For Alleviation Of African Swine Fever

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan gave information regarding the formation of the African Babi Fever Task Force. (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the government will form a task force (task) for eradicating African Swine Fever (ASF) which is spreading in the Papua region.

"It was agreed to make a Task Force," he said after chairing a coordination meeting (rakor) for African Babi Fever Control at the BPPT I Building, Jakarta, Wednesday, December 18.

Zulhas as soon as he was called explained that the African swine fever virus has become the government's attention because it has the potential to harm farmers. Even so, he admitted that he had not calculated the potential losses that would be experienced by farmers.

"The calculation of losses does not yet exist, not yet. That's why the team will be formed later," he said.

Furthermore, he said this task force would involve ministries and institutions such as the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Quarantine Agency, and the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB).

Before there is a task force team, (the relevant ministries and institutions) must carry out according to their respective field tasks to work quickly to overcome them. It's a feature of our government, Mr. Prabowo, if there is anything, it will be handled immediately," he said.

Regarding this African swine fever, Zulhas emphasized that this virus does not spread to humans. Therefore, he appealed to the public not to worry about this virus.

"No zoom, no transmission to people, to humans. So it must be explained so as not to conclude anything. This is a loss for farmers, so their breeders (businesses) die," he said.