TEMPO.CO, Semarang - The Government of Central Java has banned the imports of beef - especially secondary cuts of beef - as the region is experiencing a surplus of beef stocks. "Central Java is a beef-producing region," said the Head of Central Java's Food Security Agency, Withono, in Semarang on Friday, July 22, 2016.
Withono ensures that Central Java is able to meet its' demand for beef without needing to import from outside of the region. "As such, imports - especially imports of frozen cuts and secondary cuts of beef are really unnecessary," Withono said.
Furthermore, continued Withono, not only could Central Java produce enough beef to meet its' internal demands, Central Java is also a significant supplier for beef to other provinces - including West Java and Central Java. Prices in Central Java that had once spiked had returned to normal - after having peaked during the month of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.
Central Java's Agency for Animal Husbandry, said that there are more than two million cows in Central Java - and the Agency is confident that it could distribute 120.000 cattle to areas that need it the most. Out of the 120,000 cattles, 100,000 have been earmarked for West Java, while 20.000 will be allocated to be delivered Jakarta.
According to Withono, beef supply levels in Central Java is not as big of an issue as it is in other areas - because the population is used to consuming substitutes, such as poultry and fish.
A member of Central Java's Regional Representatives Council, Riyono, has also spoken out against the central government's plan to import secondary cuts of beef - which he believes will have a negative impact on the livelihood of local farmers in Central Java. "It would be better for the government to craft a policy that prioritize and protects their livelihoods," Riyono said.
ROFIUDDIN