GOVT IMPORTING BUFFALO MEAT TO STABILIZE MEAT PRICES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Oct 7 (Antara) - The government will import 100 thousand tons of buffalo meat in an effort to help stabilize the meat prices since beef is still being sold at a relatively high price of Rp100 thousand per kilogram (kg).          Buffalo meat is being imported as it is relatively cheaper at about Rp65 thousand per kg, even though some consumers in Asia, including in Indonesia, do not particularly have a taste for it. As a result, a few negative voices were being heard from among the traders as well as consumers against this plan.          However, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said the government will continue its plan to import buffalo meat from India to meet the people's need for meat in view of the high prices of beef at home.          "We will continue importing the commodity as long as consumers need it," Minister Amran stated on the sidelines of an exhibition on food and domestically produced goods that opened at Mandala Kredia Square, Yoyakarta, on Thursday (Oct 6).          According to detikFood¿s online publication recently, the nutritional content of beef and buffalo meat does differ.

MK EXPECTED TO END CONTROVERSIES OVER IMPORT OF MEAT

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 20 (Antara) - A Constitutional Court's (MK's) verdict over the judicial review of a law on animal health is expected to overcome controversies arising from the government's plan to import meat from nations not free from animal diseases.          According to the Indonesian Buffalo and Cow Breeders Association (PPSKI), the MK's decision over the judicial review of Law No. 41 of 2014 on the amendment of Law No.18 of 2009 on animal husbandry and animal health will end the controversies.          The government is planning to import buffalo meat from India in an effort to encourage competition in meat sales and bring down the skyrocketing domestic beef prices.          However, several quarters are opposed to the government's plan as India is believed to be a nation that is not yet free from cattle foot-and-mouth disease, apart from the consumption culture of Indonesians, who are not accustomed to eating buffalo meat.         Hence, PPSKI Chairman Teguh Boediyana stated that his organization had called on the MK to soon issue a decision on the judicial review of Article 36 of Law No.41 of 2014 on the amendment of Law No.18 of 2009 on animal husbandry and animal health.     "The article to be reviewed concerns provisions allowing the importation of animals or animal products not based on a country but a zone," Teguh noted.

GOVT TO IMPORT BUFFALO MEAT FROM INDIA

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, July 18 (Antara) - The government is planning to import buffalo meat from India in an effort to bring down the price of beef at home which is still high at Rp120 thousand per kilogram (kg).          The head of the Quarantine Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Banun Harpini, said his agency is preparing a quarantine protocol in coordination with the Indian government to facilitate Indonesia's plans to import buffalo meat. Indonesia will seek guarantee from India regarding the quality of meat so that it meets the country's requirements.           "We hope the imported product meets the import protocol of the director general of animal husbandry," Banun was quoted as saying by Tempo.com news portal on Tuesday (July 12).          The quarantine agency is, therefore, focusing on cooperation with India on buffalo meat import. The quarantine protocol is expected to be completed later this month.          The State Logistics Board (Bulog) has been assigned to  import the commodity.          President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stressed that the plan to import buffalo meat is aimed at shoring up the meat supply at home and provide consumers with alternative meat. The government will import not only buffalo meat and innards but also frozen beef.