Head of Barantin, Sahat M. Panggabean, stated that the assurance of the imported cattle's safety and health was based on blood test results conducted at the farm owned by the Tanjung Unggul Mandiri company in Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday.
"We ensure those cattle entering Indonesia are free from FMD and LSD, as received by PT Tanjung Unggul Mandiri," Panggabean stated.
He noted that those cattle, intended to support the Astacita program and the free nutritious meals (MBG) program, have undergone physical and laboratory examinations as part of preventive measures to ensure their health and prevent the spread of disease.
Before being shipped, the cattle also underwent stages of animal quarantine measures and vaccinations against FMD and LSD.
Panggabean remarked that based on data from 2024, Indonesia imported 470 thousand cattle, all of which were supervised and vaccinated according to standard operating procedures (SOP) to mitigate the risk of infectious diseases, such as FMD.
"PT Tanjung Unggul Mandiri alone has imported 21 thousand cows from Australia, all of which underwent inspection stages according to SOP," he remarked.
The results of the inspection and supervision carried out by his side ensured that the distribution of these cattle throughout regions would be safe and healthy.
Hence, he assured that food products derived from these cattle for the MBG program are safe for the community to consume.
"Once again, the cows for this MBG program are healthy. The MBG program is guaranteed to be safe," he stated.
Until now, his side has not found any new cases of FMD. Should any cases arise in the future, the agency will take immediate action to cull affected cattle.
"We also urge the regional government to take anticipatory measures. There are still many community cattle farms out there. If necessary, provide vaccinations to prevent FMD," he remarked.
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Translator: Azmi Syamsul M, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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