On Saturday, January 16, 2010, Center for Indonesian Veterinary Analytical Studies (CIVAS) held a half day seminar in Bogor in celebration of CIVAS’ 4th anniversary. The seminar was titled “Globalization, Climate Change, and Animal Diseases” and presenting in the seminar were Drs. Haneda Sri Mulyanto, MAS, Assistant Deputy of Climate Change Effect Control from the Climate Change Mitigation Division of the Ministry of Environment with “Climate Change and Its Effect to Indonesia”, RP. Agus Lelana, DVM, Sp.MP, MSi, lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Bogor Agricultural University with “The Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Act in Addressing the Challenges of Globalization and Climate Change”, and Tri Satya Putri Naipospos, DVM, M.Phil, Ph.D from Center for Indonesian Veterinary Analytical Studies (CIVAS) with “The Effect of Climate Change on Animal Diseases”.

In his presentation, Drs. Haneda stated that global warming could very much affect Indonesia. Extreme climate conditions tend to rise; many regions in Indonesia have experienced multiple hazards, particularly in Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan islands. There is significantly high rain fall in December to January in all parts of Java Island and the eastern parts of Indonesia, such as Bali, NTB and NTT, increasing the risks of flooding. Also, many regions in Indonesia are vulnerable to drought, flooding, forest fires, and disease outbreaks in humans.

The conclusion from Dr. Agus Lelana’s presentation is that Act No. 18/2009 on Animal Husbandry and Animal Health has anticipated globalization and global warming issues. The Act could be used as a legal basis for further regulation development for globalization and global warming issues. Also implementation of the Act in issues related to globalization and global warming is in the form of comprehensive actions and must be a concern of all institutions, officials, and individuals involved.

Peserta Seminar Globalisasi, Perubahan Iklim dan Penyakit HewanIn her presentation, Dr. Tri Satya Naipospos revealed that there are many scientific literatures on the effect of climate change on health and disease, but most are focused on human health and vector-borne diseases. The World Animal Health Organization (OIE) in its 77th General Session in 2009 stated that due to globalization and climate change, the world is continuously facing new emerging and re-emerging animal diseases. Disease outbreaks in domestic and wild animals such as Blue Tongue, Rift Valley Fever, West Nile Fever, Avian Influenza or other vector-borne diseases are believed to be both directly and indirectly influenced by climate change.

The seminar was attended by 130 participants with Head of the Agriculture Service Office of Bogor city representing the Mayor of Bogor city. Also attending the seminar were the Animal Health Director and Veterinary Public Health Director from the Ministry of Agriculture, Indonesia Veterinary Medical Association, Quarantine Agency and fellow veterinarians.