"For licensing in Indonesia, I thanked the relevant ministries, starting from the Ministry of Agriculture, BPOM, and the Directorate General of Immigration. It is all ready," Effendy noted in a statement from his office on Saturday after visiting a meat packing company in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The meat delivery from Indonesian Hajj officers and pilgrims had also been carried out last year. The minister noted that this program needs to be followed up and improved in the future.
"This year, we have not shipped on a large scale because it is still in the trial process," he revealed.
His side along with related authorities had checked the safety and suitability of the sacrificial meat to be sent to Indonesia.
"BPOM (Food and Drug Supervisory Agency) is also ready to ensure the safety of the meat," he stated.
Furthermore, the government pays attention to every packaging process to ensure that the meat sent to Indonesia is fit for consumption.
"We have confirmed everything, such as diseases and bacteria, including FMD (foot and mouth disease). The meat brought to Indonesia is safe," Effendy stated.
Effendy and his entourage also visited the Ukaisyiyah Slaughterhouse (RPH) in Mecca to review the sacrificial animals' slaughter procession.
On this occasion, the minister saw an opportunity to send Indonesian butchers. Based on information from the slaughterhouse manager, during the Hajj season, they employ five thousand workers.
"They want around 1,500 people from Indonesia to work as butchers. The ambassador will follow up on this plan," he remarked.
Meanwhile, Director of Hajj Adviser Arsad Hidayat remarked that around 6,500 Indonesian Hajj officers and pilgrims had distributed their sacrificial animals to the RPH recommended by the government.
Furthermore, 4,500 goats were slaughtered and distributed in Saudi Arabia, while the other two thousand goats would be sent to Indonesia.
"Goat meat sent to Indonesia will be packed using a retorch method. One goat will be packed into four packs. Each pack contains 2.5 kilograms of meat," he explained.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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