Pressing FMD Spread, Task Force Reminds Rules To Be Formed Based On Local Wisdom

Illustration of a beef seller amid the threat of FMD to livestock. (Antara)

JAKARTA - Deputy Head Coordinator (Wakakordalops) FMD Task Force Brigadier General Ary Laksamana Widjaja said local wisdom contributed to the decision of an area to accept livestock and products from the red zone of foot and mouth disease (FMD).

According to him, this is in accordance with the FMD Task Force Circular No. 4 of 2022, where livestock from the red zone cannot leave the area.

However, he continued, animal products from the red zone could be circulated to either the yellow or green zones. This is because products from processed livestock have certainly gone through several health processes, including screening related to FMD.

"But if there are certain areas that state that they also do not want to accept processed livestock products that are sourced or come from a production house or milk-making factory or whatever, where the factory is located in the red zone, they may apply it, and local people are said to be generally allowed," said Ary in an online talk show, Wednesday night, August 3.

Ary continued, with this local wisdom, it is okay if areas from the green zone refuse products from the red or yellow zone.

However, the control of FMD, according to Ary, also needs to be carried out with four strategies, namely biosecurity, treatment, vaccination, and conditional cuts.

These strategies, in their implementation, are left to the perpetrators in the field, namely those who are involved in FMD animal control issues.

So if the region has some considerations to reject products from the red or yellow zone, it is still allowed as long as it does not conflict with the contents of SE number 4 of 2022 in order to maintain the status of the region.

"I'm sure that the area has several considerations to do that, but once again it's done as long as it doesn't conflict with the existing circulars," he said.