"The further testing results, both by the Center for Agricultural Quarantine Standard Testing (BBUKSP) and BVet Bukittinggi labs, showed positive for ASF and negative for Classical Swine Fever (CSF)," the agency's head of the Animal Quarantine and Biosafety Center, Wisnu Wasisa Putra, revealed here on Saturday.
He said the agency and Agriculture Ministry's Directorate of Animal Health have coordinated with the Singapore Food Agency and NS Park.
Earlier, a joint investigation by Indonesia and Singapore found a quite massive number of deaths of pigs in Bulan Island, with clinical symptoms leading to CSF or hog cholera.
The Tanjung Pinang Agricultural Quarantine then took an anticipatory measure, such as conducting ASF testing on pigs that were about to be transported. The office also tightened animal quarantine measures.
"In addition, monitoring the import of feed and feed materials into Bulan Island as a precautionary measure, as it might be the path of ASF (to enter) into this island," Putra remarked.
In the efforts to reopen pig exports to Singapore, the Ministry of Agriculture has recommended the ASF-free sub-compartment system from Bulan Island that has been approved by Singapore.
With the ASF-free sub-compartment system, Indonesia can again export pigs to Singapore.
Head of IAQA Bambang called the effort a strategic step, as Bulan Island is the largest pig farm in Indonesia and contributes 15 percent of Singapore's pig import needs.
"The ministry will evaluate and investigate all aspects of risk management. Along with the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health, we act quickly by deploying a team," Bambang stated.
The investigation of the Singapore Food Agency's findings of ASF also involved the Trade Ministry.
The ministry delved into what the Singaporean agency had discovered and also inspected the producer from where the pigs originated.
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Translator: Kuntum R, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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