"This has been done through several issuances of the Minister of Agriculture's decrees, circulars, and guidelines for the implementation of livestock supervision shortly after the first FMD case was discovered," head of the Animal Quarantine Center, Wisnu Wasisa Putra, informed at an online press conference, accessed from Jakarta on Friday.
For handling FMD, the Agriculture Ministry conducted clinical examinations of animals, physical examinations of livestock, set requirements for documentation such as Animal Health Certificates (SKKH), issued letters for laboratory examination results, and other required documents.
Health checks were carried out on transported animals at the exit and entry gates of each region, namely airports, seaports, river ports, cross-border posts, animal quarantine installations owned by the government or other parties, and transportation modes, he informed.
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The Agriculture Ministry also urged related parties to place farm animals in quarantine for 14 days in animal quarantine installations at exit gates.
“The Agricultural Quarantine (Center) has also alerted all central laboratories located at the Central Agricultural Quarantine Standard Testing Center as well as laboratories located in all agricultural quarantine (centers) to test animal diseases," he said.
As part of efforts to prevent the spread of FMD while transporting animals, the government has urged vessels carrying animals to avoid areas declared as red zones for FMD.
Putra said he hopes all related agencies will help monitor livestock health in each region and report any FMD cases to the National Animal Health Information System (iSIKHNAS), which serves as the basis for quarantine when animals are transported.
"Agricultural Quarantine (Center personnel) with the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), local government, customs, immigration, and security (officials) will protect and maintain Indonesia's livestock," he added.
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Translator: M Baqir I A, Resinta S
Editor: Suharto
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