Riau Provincial Government Bans Batam From Bringing Sacrificial Animals From Lampung, This Is The Reason

Illustration/Photo: Antara

TANJUNG PINANG - Head of the Department of Food Security, Agriculture and Health (DKP2KH) of the Riau Islands Province (Kepri) Rika Azmi said that Batam City was prohibited from bringing in sacrificial animals from Lampung, following the discovery of dozens of cows exposed to Mouth and Nail Disease (FMD) from Central Lampung." This is no longer allowed, this is in accordance with the Central Kasatgas circular letter Number 3 of 2022 dated July 3, 2022 concerning Regional-Based Animal Traffic Regulations," said Rika Azmi in Tanjungpinang, Thursday, July 7. "We can still bring in cows from surplus areas in the Riau Islands, such as Natuna, Anambas and Bintan." from Central Lampung, plus the stock of local breeders can meet the needs of sacrificial animals in Batam Muslims who will make sacrifices due to the limited mobility of livestock in the midst of the PMK outbreak are encouraged to participate in the sacrifice in livestock-producing areas. "In Riau Islands, it can be done in Natuna, Anambas, and Bintan," said Rika.

Meanwhile, Chairman of Commission II of the Riau Islands Provincial DPRD, Wahyu Wahyudin said that Batam was still in deficit of around 2,000 cows out of a total need of 3,000. "The supply of cattle in Batam comes from Central Lampung, but now it is no longer possible because of the Central PMK Task Force policy," he added. He suggested that the government could allow the delivery of sacrificial cattle from Kuala Tungkal, Jambi or Riau to cover the deficit of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid al-Adha. "Based on data from the Riau Islands DKP2KH, as many as 15 cattle in Batam were exposed to FMD based on the test results of the Bukittinggi Veterinary Center (Bavet) on July 3, 2022. The cows were exposed to the FMD imported from outside the Riau Islands Province, namely Central Lampung. However, the condition of the PMK cattle is claimed to have improved, because they have been given ecoenzyme vitamins and herbs.