There Are Two Other Outbreaks Besides PMK That Attack Livestock, The Ombudsman Says The Supervision Function Of The Quarantine Agency Is Weak!

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Ombudsman revealed that there were three outbreaks that entered Indonesia from 2019 to May 2022. The three exotic diseases were African Swine Fever (ASF) or an outbreak of African swine fever, Lumphy Skin Disease (LSD) or an outbreak of lumpy disease and Oral and Oral Diseases. Feet (PMK).

RI Ombudsman member Yeka Hendra Fatika said his party highlighted the weak performance of the Agricultural Quarantine Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan). Yeka said that animal traffic should be tightened with high vigilance.

"The weak supervisory function of the Quarantine Agency can be seen from the emergence of several cases of livestock disease outbreaks in Indonesia. Since the end of 2019 until May 2022, Indonesia has experienced three types of exotic diseases and spread in the country," he said in a virtual press conference, Thursday, July 14 .

Yeka said, the entry of these three outbreaks was evidenced by the three decisions made by the Minister of Agriculture regarding the outbreak. First, related to ASF which occurred around 2019. Where there is Kepmentan No. 820 of 2019 concerning the Epidemic of African Swine Fever.

"So the government recognizes ASF. Thousands of pigs in the river. Just check there are still videos, (happening) in North Sumatra," he explained.

Then, continued Yeka, the LSD outbreak. The existence of this disease is evidenced by the Ministry of Agriculture No. 242 of 2022 concerning the outbreak of skin bumps.

"The illustration, try to imagine the cow's skin there are lumps, now that's the disease," he said.

The last one is PMK. The existence of this epidemic is evidenced by Ministry of Agriculture No. 403 of 2022, and Ministry of Agriculture No. 404 of 2022 concerning the PMK Outbreak in Prov. East Java and Prov. Aceh.

"The three infectious animal diseases, namely ASF, LSD and PMK are diseases that are very detrimental to the livestock industry in Indonesia, not only cattle. Because, in the short time since the outbreak was determined by the Minister, the disease has spread to other provinces and other islands," he said. .

Yeka explained that every country has an agency unit that is responsible for maintaining their respective borders against the entry and spread of infectious animal diseases from abroad.

In Indonesia, continued Yeka, the task and function of preventing the entry and spread of infectious animal diseases including exotic diseases such as ASF, LSD and PMK is carried out by the Agricultural Quarantine Agency-Ministry of Agriculture. Through its work units, namely the Center for Animal Quarantine and Biosafety and Technical Implementation Units (UPT) located in each province as well as ports and airports in Indonesia.

"The prevention also includes preventing the spread of disease within the country, especially between islands," he said.

However, Yeka said, the Quarantine Agency's supervisory function was very weak. In fact, this institution receives a large budget of approximately Rp. 1 trillion per year to carry out its duties.

"Every year the Agricultural Quarantine Agency spends a budget of approximately Rp. 1 trillion. Not a few people's money is used to carry out the main tasks and functions of the Quarantine Agency, however, the agency has failed to stem various exotic diseases in the territory of Indonesia," he said.