TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An economist of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), Rusli Abdullah, asserted that the government must investigate the causes of the foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak affecting livestock in East Java before Eid al-Adha which will fall in early July.

“There is an increase in demand for cattle and beef meat supplies for Eid al-Adha. The government must immediately investigate the cause of this case because Indonesia has been free of FMD since the 1990s,” said Rusli to Tempo, Monday, May 9.

He expressed concern that if the disease is not controlled, it will spread and become a national issue which will lead to distortion of the cattle supply chain. The government is also suggested limiting the traffic of cattle sales for the next week.

“If cattle become scarce because they are slaughtered prematurely or vaccinated so they are not ready for consumption, it will boost cattle and beef meat prices for Eid al-Adha,” Rusli added.

To meet domestic needs, Rusli opined that imports could be one of the solutions so long as they come from FMD-free certified countries. “For example, Brazil, Australia, and the U.S. are already free from FMD. India is not yet completely free,” he added.

Agriculture Minister Syahrul Yasin Limpo called on the public not to panic and worry as foot and mouth disease in livestock could not spread to humans. The ministry, he said, has assigned a team to conduct further research to ascertain the level and type of FMD identified in a number of areas in East Java. “Hopefully the results will come out today or tomorrow,” said Yasin Limpo.

Read: ID Food Acts to Protect Livestock Against Foot and Mouth Disease

RIANI SANUSI PUTRI