Ministry Of Agriculture's Explanation About A Video Of Cattle Load/Unload Using Cranes At Samarinda Port

Screenshot of cattle transported by crane at Samarinda Harbor, East Kalimantan (Special)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Agriculture has responded to a viral video related to loading and unloading of cattle not according to the procedures that allegedly occurred at a port in Indonesia and will ask the relevant authorities to prepare loading and unloading infrastructure specifically for livestock.

"Regarding the viral video on social media regarding the loading and unloading of cattle that allegedly occurred at a port in Indonesia, the Ministry of Agriculture responded and regretted the incident which did not pay attention to animal welfare principles," said the Head of the Public Relations and Information Bureau, Public Ministry of Agriculture Kuntoro Boga Andri quoted from Antara, Thursday, June 16.

According to Kuntoro, the practice of loading and unloading cattle in the video violates the rules contained in Law Number 41 of 2014 concerning Livestock and Animal Health.

In a video circulating on social media, the process of loading and unloading cattle carried by ships is described using a tall crane or crane with the same process as loading and unloading containers from ships to ports.

"We urge the loading and unloading of live animals at the port to apply the principles of animal welfare," said Kuntoro.

Kuntoro said that the Ministry of Agriculture asked port authorities, relevant agencies, and livestock business actors to prepare facilities and infrastructure as well as loading and unloading livestock facilities at ports in accordance with animal welfare principles.

Kuntoro hopes that a similar incident will not happen again.

The video of loading and unloading live cattle has received criticism from various non-governmental organizations, animal lovers, and also from netizens.

Many people deplore the loading and unloading treatment of live cattle which is considered very inappropriate.