Indonesia Agriculture Quarantine Agency and Australia Strengthen Animal Movement Control

TANGERANG (SINDO) – Yesterday the Indonesian Agriculture Quarantine Agency (Badan Karantina Pertanian/Barantan) of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Australian Embassy held a campaign to strengthen animal movement control at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. Head of Barantan, Syukur Iwantoro, said that the campaign was to reduce the risk of avian influenza virus transmission. “Therefore, we strengthened the animal movement control,” said Syukur yesterday. From 2007 until the first quarter of 2008, Barantan had inspected 164,384,549 animals transported through transportation routes, such as harbors, airports, and bus terminals.

According to Syukur, as the country nearest to Indonesia, the Australian government is concerned about the possibility of avian influenza virus spread to its country. “Therefore, both countries agreed to establish the Indonesia Quarantine Strengthening Program (ISQP),” he continued. This program is a partnership between Barantan and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).
Syukur also said that Australia is very concerned about the spread of avian influenza viruses. “We admit that the Indonesian Quarantine Agency has learned a lot from Australia,” he explained. Also at that time, representative from the Australian Embassy visited the animal quarantine facility for animals such as horses, dogs, chickens, and cats in Soekarno-Hatta Airport.
Counselor of the Ausaid Development Corporation, Cilla Ballard, said that the animal quarantine facility in Soekarno-Hatta Airport is very clean and the animals there are very well-treated. “This is a good start for the campaign,” Ballard said.
Cilla said that Australia has given 30 million Australian dollars to fund the quarantine strengthening program and prevention of avian influenza virus spread in Indonesia. When asked about the ISQP initiative, Ballard said that it was actually Indonesia’s initiative. “This country has high concerns for animals, and we are very interested in protecting border transportation in this country,” said Ballard. (denny irawan)
Source: SINDO