Preventing The Spread Of PMK, The National Food Agency Coordinates With The Ministry Of Transportation Regarding Cattle Distribution

A veterinarian checks the condition of cattle in a group pen in Bantul Regency, DIY (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The National Food Agency (BPN) coordinates with the Ministry of Transportation and State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) related to food business activities to ensure the distribution of live cattle from eastern Indonesia to Java Island. Head of the National Food Agency (BPN) Arief Prasetyo Adi said, coordination in the context of monitoring the food safety of beef due to the spread of foot and mouth disease (FMD). Arief.

Arief said, for the Jakarta, Greater Bandung and surrounding areas, namely Banten, they usually receive cattle supplies from East Java and Central Java, which are currently being attacked by PMK. Eid al-Adha 1443 Hijri.

This has resulted in the need for steps to ensure supplies from other regions such as eastern Indonesia can be made to meet the needs of victims.

"I am with the Ministry of Transportation, then there are several food-related SOEs (livestock) that we facilitate, for example, PT. Berdikari a food SOE under ID Food has several stocks in Parepare. Now, we will use sea toll facilities, for example 500 heads on the cattle ship, the next one will also follow," he explained.

Even so, said Arief, the National Food Agency will continue to carry out strict checks on the imported cattle. Arief said, the National Food Agency, which was just formed through Presidential Decree No. 66 of 2021, includes three deputies.

First, the Deputy for Food Availability and Stability, the second Deputy for Food Insecurity and Nutrition, and the third, namely Consumption Diversification and Food Safety.

The government, said Arief, needs to temporarily close access to several areas that supply live cattle that have been affected by FMD, such as several areas in East Java and Central Java. The National Food Agency will work closely with related parties to re-data cattle in several livestock centers and fattening sites. cattle around Jakarta, including Bandung, Bogor and Tangerang. The capacity of the cattle pens in the area ranges from 3,000 to 20,000 cows, so the National Food Agency will ensure the health of the livestock ahead of Eid al-Adha.

"If we look at each cage, there is also a veterinarian who checks regularly. Hopefully there will be sufficient availability for Eid al-Adha, including goats and sheep besides beef," said Arief.