Stop Meat Importation

Jakarta, Kompas - Commission IV of the Indonesia parliament has asked the Ministry of Agriculture to stop all processes related to changing beef importation policy from previously country-based to zone-based. The ministry was also asked to work harder in increasing beef cattle population. Thus was the outcome of the Commission IV Audience Meeting with the Director General of Livestock, Tjeppy D Soedjana, and cattle-related stakeholders whom most are members of the Forum for Country Rescue from Foot and Mouth Disease (FPN-PMK). According to chairman of Commission IV, Arifin Junaidi, the ministry needs to conduct a more thorough assessment because many stakeholders have not been involved and consulted with regarding the plans on beef importation.

It is also important because along with such policy is a serious risk, on both social and economical aspects, of possible Foot and Mouth Disease introduction to ruminants [in Indonesia].
In response, Tjeppy said that they will follow up on the results of the meeting. He said that beef importation is necessary because the population growth of beef cattle is much slower compared to current demand. 
Commission IV member, Mardjono, said, “If we can fulfill our own need for rice from domestic production, why can’t we do it for beef?”
FPN-PMK Coordinator, whom is also Secretary General of the Indonesian Cattle-Buffalo Farmer Association, Teguh Boediyana, said statements from Commission IV shows that they care about cattle farmers in Indonesia.

Resulted from visit
The plan to apply zone-based beef importation policy originated from a visit conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Anton Apriyantono, to Brazil in February 2008. An audit team was also sent to Brazil to assess the possibilities of Indonesia importing beef from Brazil. This plan received many objections because Brazil has not been declared FMD free by OIE, the World Animal Health Organization.
Despite all the objections, the process to open beef import from Brazil was still carried through. On November 18, 2008, Anton and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil had both signed a Memorandum of Understanding in collaborative research, development of human resources, and trade.
In January 2009, the Ministry of Agriculture had issued a ministerial decree on Importation and Monitoring of Carcass, Meat, and Offal from Other Countries, a revision of ministerial decrees No 64/2008, No 27/2007, and No 61/2007, which allows importation of beef from countries that are not yet FMD free.
It is considered that the new ministerial decree will destroy the beef cattle industry in Indonesia because of the possibility of FMD introduction, because FMD infected cattle are no longer productive. Currently, Indonesia only imports beef and cattle products from Australia, New Zealand, Unites States of America, and Canada, that are all FMD free. (MAS)
Source : Kompas