The second hypothesis suggests FMD is due to the channel of meat imports from India, another country that has not been completely free of FMD. The State Logistics Agency (BULOG) reported that at the end of June 2022, there were at least 46 thousand tons of buffalo meat from India, which is only 46 percent of the planned import of 100,000 in 2022.
The Solutions
The Government must take serious short and long-term measures to deal with FMD. The short-term measures refer to the Eid al-Adha celebration.
First, the Government must expedite livestock vaccination, particularly that designated as for Qurban animals. The issue of an animal health worker shortage can be overcome by involving veterinary students in administering vaccinations.
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Second, animals infected by FMD must be immediately isolated. A temporary action may include separating the markets for Qurban livestock from the non-Qurban livestock market.
Third, livestock should be culled, to stop the spread of FMD. It will cost around IDR 5 trillion to compensate for the loss of animals, assuming 250 thousand animals are valued at IDR 20 million each.
In the long term, the Government must evaluate imports from countries that are not yet free of FMD. It must also mainstream policies to increase domestic livestock production, which is fundamental amid the increasing demand for meat, and not only during Eid al-Adha.