Market as a meeting place between human and poultry has the potential to become a place for AI virus spread among poultry or even transmission from poultry to human. Because of that Avian Influenza virus control in market is an important component in controlling Avian influenza in Indonesia. The National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Influenza Pandemic Preparedness (Komnas FBPI) in collaboration with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Center for Indonesian Veterinary Analytical Studies (CIVAS) conducted a series of Plenary and Workshop on Live Bird Markets to support Avian Influenza virus control.

The aim of this event was to identify best practices that can be applied and or trialed in national, province, district and village level and also to encourage poultry industry and central and provincial government to adopt practical regulations which will improve disease prevention (biosecurity), detection (surveillances), and emerging response in relations with poultry trade and commerce. Hopefully this event can also develop and recommend active models for AI prevention, detection and control in live bird markets/traditional markets (include supplier, transport and distributor) for the central government, provincial government and poultry industry. This event was conducted for three days in Medan on March 2 7th – 29th, 2007, Surabaya on April 24th – 26th, 2007 and Bali on May 1st – 3rd, 2007. Previously the same event was also conducted in Tangerang on September 2006. The Plenary and Workshop on Live Bird Markets was opened by representatives from the United States government, the National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Influenza Pandemic Preparedness (Komnas FBPI) and the provincial government.

The first day of the event was filled with presentations by several speakers from local and foreign countries. The speakers consist of representatives from the provincial government, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade and Yayasan Yud isthira Swarga (NGO on Animal Welfare). Foreign speakers are from FAO, USDA, Vietnam Department of Agriculture, International CHF, Philippines Bureau of Animal Health and Plant, Thailand Department of Health, and Taiwan Bureau of Inspection and Quarantine of Animal Health and Plant. In the second day, workshop participants conduct market visits to identify factors related to poultry handling in the market. After the market visit, workshop participants conduct group discussions which last until the third day. The discussions were aimed to formulate a work plan to assist in the effort to control the spread of Avian Influenza.

The Plenary and Workshop on Live Bird Markets event in Medan produced some recommendations which were the development of healthy bird markets; formulation of standard regulations and guidelines on reference model for bird market and replicatio n; and development of reference model for poultry slaughterhouse (small scale slaughterhouse that fulfill hygiene and sanitary requirements). The workshop results will then be followed-up by participants from various institutions.

One of the recommendations from Plenary and Workshop on Live Bird Markets in Surabaya was to decide healthy market and healthy bird market pilot projects in Surabaya municipal which will start on July 2007, whereas the recommendation from Plenary and Workshop on Live Bird Markets in Denpasar consist of short-term and long-term plans. Short-term plans include socialization, market organization (location/zoning, use of different cages for different poultry species, use of plastic cages) and assessment of market potentials (identification of vendors, suppliers, poultry slaughterers, farmers, facilities and infrastructures), whereas long-term plans consist of live bird market relocation and implementation of animal health certificate.

Participants in this event were representatives from several institutions related to AI control especially in market. Participants consist of representatives from Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade, National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Influenza Pandemic Preparedness (Komnas FBPI), Center for Indonesian Veterinary Analytical Studies (CIVAS), Provincial and district or municipal Livestock Services Office, Provincial Health Office, Poultry Association, farmers and poultry traders.