Sacrificial (Kurban) Animals are Guaranteed Healthy

JAKARTA –  Governor of DKI Jakarta, Fauzi Bowo, guaranteed that sacrificial animals entering Jakarta are free from anthrax and other diseases, because they have been through a strict animal inspection process. Provincial government of DKI has also coordinated with bupatis and mayors from areas that supply sacrificial animals to Jakarta. “Besides in Jakarta, inspection is also done in areas of origin before the animals are sent to Jakarta. Not only that, inspection is also done at border areas of Jakarta, either in Tangerang, Bogor, Bekasi, or Depok.” said Fauzi Bowo to reporters at 08.30 WIB this morning.

Sacrificial animal inspection, he continued, was done by approximately 2,817 officers from various offices which are assigned as monitoring officers for sacrificial animal trade in DKI. The Governor admitted that until now he has not received any report of animals infected by anthrax. “We have coordinated with the supplier areas for these animals.”
“We also inspect their documents, from the number of animals sent to the animal health certificates,” said Fauzi. Furthermore he said that there are about 1,100 sacrificial animal trading sites outspread in five districts of DKI Jakarta. Besides inspecting the animals, officers are also assigned to regulate trading sites located by the road. “There are sites that are not to be used for trading animals because it will disturb the traffic,” he stated.
If later we find diseased animals, he said, then authorized officers will immediately isolate the site to prevent transmission of the disease to other animals. All officers will have an official letter from the provincial government of DKI Jakarta. “It means that officers assigned at animal trading sites have full authority to inspect animals thoroughly,” he said. Regarding price, the government has also provided restrictions. Fauzi stated that his office will exclusively monitor animal prices.
Because of that he hopes that the public will not be worried with unfounded increase of animal price in Jakarta. The government, said Fauzi, will also conduct a market operation if necessary. The monitoring process will be done three times a day. “We have inspected animal markets. The prices there are still reasonable.”
“We will conduct market operations if necessary,” he said. Sacrificial animal prices established by the DKI Jakarta provincial government varies, depending on the size of animal. But, estimate on goat and sheep price is between 600,000 rupiahs to 1,500,000 rupiahs for one goat or sheep. While for cattle the price is between 21,000 rupiahs to 23,000 rupiahs per kilogram body weight (live) and for buffalos between 20,000 rupiahs to 21,000 rupiahs per kilogram body weight (live). Meanwhile, Head of the Provincial Livestock, Fisheries, and Marine Office of DKI Jakarta, Edy Setiarto, said that protection against diseased sacrificial animals has been conducted since a month ago.
Inspection on sacrificial animals also involves several veterinarians. For animal trading sites that have been inspected, he said, they will give a special mark so people could buy their animals there contentedly. He also advised people to inquire about official documents owned by traders.
This is because every animal trader in Jakarta must have official documents which guarantee that their animals have been inspected. Edy explained, since a few days ago sacrificial animals have started to enter Jakarta. Even so, their number is still within range therefore officers still have time to conduct inspection on all.

Source: Sindo