VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia has given Australia 60 days, that is, until September 12, 2023, to investigate the finding of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) in cattle imported from the country before it decides to stop accepting cattle imports from the continent.

The step has been taken following the clinical detection of LSD in cows from Australia.

"We are currently studying whether the type of virus that causes LSD in Indonesia is the same as in Australia," head of the Agricultural Quarantine Agency of the Republic of Indonesia (Barantan), Bambang, said at a press conference at the Ministry of Agriculture's Office here on Tuesday (August 1).

Australia has sought 60 days from the date the disease was detected (July 12) to investigate the findings. Meanwhile, Indonesia and Australia have both carried out in-depth testing, he said. 

He added that for 60 days Indonesia will not stop all imports of cattle from Australia, but only temporarily suspend imports from four farms that are strongly suspected to be where the disease originated. The disease is characterized by lumps on the skin of cows.

"We have not completely shut down imports, but temporarily stopped imports from four farms that we found were carrying LSD. Until 60 days later, if the allegation is declared negative, then the import will continue. But, if it proves positive, we will stop importing it," he said.

LSD was detected in thirteen imported cattle brought from four farms in Australia during document and physical examinations conducted on board by Tanjung Priok agricultural quarantine officers at Tanjung Priok Port, Jakarta, from May 25 to July 26.

The officials made a special mark on the imported cattle showing clinical symptoms for further sampling.

On July 12, Barantan began sending letters to the Australian government through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF) to investigate the LSD findings.

"From the results of laboratory tests, LSD was detected positive and the cows were immediately destroyed under the supervision of a quarantine veterinarian," he informed.

"We found that the clinical symptoms of LSD in imported cattle continued to increase. Therefore, we decided to suspend imports from the four facilities," he said.

If it is proven that LSD transmission has occurred in Australian farms, the Australian government must not cover it up and immediately take action to stop LSD spread, Bambang added.

"Basically, we agree that these findings are good for Indonesia and Australia. If that's true, I don't think Australia needs to cover it up by saying they are still LSD-free," he said.

"If that's true, they should openly say that there was indeed an infection at four farms so they need to take steps and shut it down, and no longer ship it to Indonesia," he added. (Antaranews)