RI’s Poultry Businesses Fully Support Efforts to Curb AI
Jakarta, June 27 ,2007 - The Indonesian Poultry Industry Association (GAPPI) agreed today to increase bio-security in every aspect of poultry production to help curb the spread of bird flu. The agreement is another important step in overcoming the virus, said the head of
Indonesia’s national bird flu coordinating body.
"The Indonesian government welcomes and appreciates this – and every - initiative to control the avian influenza problem in this country. We believe that this issue can only be solved if all our national sectors take part, and the international community as well,” said Bayu Krisnamurthi, Chief Executive of the National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Preparedness (KOMNAS FBPI).
Under the agreement signed today, GAPPI will maximize and promote the application of tight bio-security along the entire poultry production chain, starting from animal feed, to the breeding, farming, slaughtering and distribution of poultry. The association will work closely with local agriculture offices to carry out the vaccination of backyard poultry and spraying disinfectants in areas neighboring poultry farms.
GAPPI Chairman Anton J. Supit said that private sector will give their full support to the government’s program to combat bird flu.
”GAPPI and representatives of eight poultry businesses have agreed to boost efforts to tackle bird flu, by applying high levels of bio-security along the business chain of the poultry industry and other means,” he said.
Bayu acknowledged that up to now there is only incomplete information on how poultry infect humans with bird flu, but it is clear that one of the greatest risks is posed through the retail trade using traditional “open” transportation.
“This is a new virus, and are learning more about it all the time. Maximizing the best prevention measures we know of is a big part of the solution to curbing the spread of the deadly virus,” he said.
Bird flu first infected
Indonesia’s poultry population in 2003. Since then the virus has killed over 12 million birds, mostly backyard poultry. The spread of the virus not only threatens public health due to its potential to trigger a human flu pandemic, but also causes billions of rupiah in financial losses to the poultry industry.
GAPPI also pledged today to support the government’s effort to improve people’s nutrition intake level by supplying clean and healthy eggs and other poultry products.
For further information on avian influenza visit
www.komnasfbpi.go.id
