Eid In Front Of The Eyes, Puan Asks Residents To Report Directly If They Find Sick Animals

Photo via Antara

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, asked the government to tighten supervision of places for selling sacrificial animals ahead of Eid al-Adha. This follows the increasing number of cases of mouth and nail disease (PMK), the majority of which attacked cows.

"Supervision must continue to be carried out until the last moments ahead of Eid al-Adha so that the animals that are used as sacrifices are truly feasible and healthy," said Puan, Friday, July 8.

Puan reminded the Agriculture Service in each region to continue to go to the field to check on stalls selling sacrificial animals in their area. Puan also asked for community participation.

"We urge residents to report to the local Agriculture Service if they find an unhealthy animal. And for people who want to sacrifice, they must be observant in buying livestock," he said.

If possible, buy sacrificial animals on the spot or sellers who have certification. And make sure the animals purchased have an animal health certificate (SKKH) so that the sacrificial animal meat is safe for consumption," continued Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture also asked residents, especially those who are on the sacrificial committee, to carefully supervise the slaughtering process. Puan appealed to the public to carefully look at the condition of the sacrificial meat.

"Although animals affected by PMK are safe for consumption after being boiled for at least 30 minutes, residents must remain vigilant," he said.

Furthermore, Puan encouraged the Government to intensify the livestock vaccination program in anticipation of the spread of PMK. The latest data, PMK is known to have spread in 236 regencies/cities in 21 provinces with a total of 334,213 livestock infected by PMK. A total of 114,998 livestock have been declared cured.

The government must also pay attention to the needs of animal health workers in the regions. There must be efforts to add animal vaccinators so that vaccination coverage is wider," said Puan.

The DPR supports the steps taken by the Ministry of Agriculture involving veterinarians and animal health paramedik staff within the TNI/Polri to carry out vaccinations. Even so, said Puan, additional steps are needed so that the animal vaccination program is maximized.

The government can cooperate with animal medicine students in collaboration with universities. Of course, by going through training programs first," he said.

Currently, the first 3 million doses of PMK vaccine have been available domestically. However, the number of PMK vaccines that have been distributed and injected has not been maximized.

The more animal health workers that go down, the higher the animal vaccination coverage. The hope is that the PMK that spreads in Indonesia can be addressed immediately," added Puan.

Puan also appealed to cattle breeders and owners to cooperate in the animal vaccination program. Because in some areas, this animal vaccination program has been rejected.

I understand that cattle for farmers is an investment in the future so that fear is a natural thing. But keep in mind, vaccination can increase the immunity of livestock so that it will be safer than PMK," said the grandson of the Indonesian Proclaimer Bung Karno.

On the other hand, the implementation of restrictions on the mobility of livestock is considered to have to be optimized. Officers who are at the border must really check the completeness of the SKKH of the animals brought.

"This is done for the sake of the certainty of livestock that will be consumed by the public with their health guaranteed," concluded Puan.