"We have requested 29 thousand doses for the first phase vaccination. In accordance with the instruction from the central government, they (the vaccine doses) will be prioritized for cattle," Head of the Riau Islands Food Security, Agriculture, and Health Office (DKP2KH) Rika Azmi said here Friday.
The FMD vaccine will be prioritized for cattle spread across seven districts and cities in Riau Islands, she added.
However, she said she could not confirm the implementation of the first phase vaccination because she is still waiting for directions and vaccine supply from the central government.
Azmi assured that Riau Islands province is still categorized as a green zone, that is, it is free of FMD. Nevertheless, all parties have been asked to remain alert and increase supervision against the mobility of farm animals from other provinces.
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She affirmed that the availability of animals for the Islamic ritual Qurbani (animal sacrifice) for Eid al-Adha is sufficient, except in Karimun District and Batam City.
She asked regions where Qurbani animal availability is sufficient to not supply animals to regions outside Riau Islands.
To meet the demand for Qurbani animals, Karimun District has been asked to get animals from local farmers in Riau Islands, especially from Natuna and Anambas Districts.
As for Batam City, it has been allowed to get animals from Central Lampung, which is claimed to be still free of FMD.
However, if the central government bans the mobility of farm animals between provinces, Riau Islands will follow the policy, she said.
On June 14, 2022, the Ministry of Agriculture commenced the FMD vaccination program for livestock from Sidoarjo District, East Java.
Vaccine doses are being prioritized for healthy animals that are at high risk of infection, such as animals at livestock breeding centers, community-owned dairy farms, dairy cooperatives, and beef cattle farms.
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Translator: Ogen, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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