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New Law, Livestock Industry Disappointed with Import Regulations
Jakarta - Stakeholders of the livestock industry are disappointed with the government and parliament because import regulations for fresh animal products have been loosened. Loosening of import regulations was shown with legalization of the Animal Husbandry and Health Law on May 12, 2009, by the parliament. The legalization process was revealed by Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the Parliament, Suswono, during an audience meeting with the Association of Milk Cooperatives in Indonesia (GKSI) on Wednesday (13/5) in Jakarta.
According to General Chairman of the Indonesian Meat Importer Association, Thomas Sembiring, on Thursday (15/5) in Jakarta, both the government and the parliament are contradicting with their own policy to strengthen national products in the domestic market. “Other countries are tightening their import regulations, while our government and parliament are loosening it,” he said.
The statement was made because Verse (2) of Article 59 in the Animal Husbandry and Health Law states that fresh animal products imported into Indonesia must come from animal production units within a country, or zone, that fulfills the requirements and procedures for animal product import.
In its explaining article, it is stated that examples of fresh animal products are meat, egg, milk, and bone. Previous regulations state that import of fresh animal products must be country-based, not zone-based.
With the loosening of this rule, where import could be zone-based, other countries could more freely “flood” the domestic market. Also it opens the potential of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) introduction through infected meat. So far Indonesia is FMD free. “The last time we exported beef was in 1974. It only took us 35 years to turn into on of the largest beef importing country. Import of beef and offal has now reached 40 percent [of the total domestic demand],” said Thomas.
Secretary General of the Indonesian Cattle Buffalo Farmer Association, Teguh Boediyono, regrets the legalization of this law. “It is sad that the parliament itself brought down the walls which prevents FMD introduction,” he said. (MAS)
Source : Kompas