May 22, 2021
Indonesia suspended import of Indian buffalo meat due to widespread prevalence of coronavirus pandemic in the country and in this regard commerce ministry made it clear Indian meat industry is following all quality, food safety and environmental standards and that frozen boneless buffalo meat sourced from the country is safe to consume.
The surge of coronavirus cases in India has prompted Indonesia to temporarily halt imports of Indian water buffalo meat, Budi Waseso, chief executive of Indonesia’s food procurement agency Bulog said.
India had started exporting buffalo meat to Indonesia in July 2016 following the formal release of import permits to Indian export abattoirs by Indonesia. Till then Indonesia was chiefly dependent on meat from Australia. India quickly gathered ample market share in buffalo meat in Indonesia pasting Australia at a competitive price. The Indonesian government announced new regulations to allow the import of livestock products from zones rather than countries, free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) which allowed the import of bovine meats from India, where FMD is still predominant.
World Organisation for Animal Health, World Health Organisation, and Food and Agriculture Organisation have issued guidelines that categorically mention that it is highly unlikely that people can contact Covid -19 from food or food packaging.
Indian commerce ministry put out the statement that Indian meat processing establishments are following physical distancing, stringent hygiene, and sanitation measures. Regular training is given to staff and workers on food safety practices.
In 2020, India exported $2.8 billion worth buffalo meat mostly to Asian countries in which Hong Kong topped the chart with $629 million worth imports of bovine meat while Indonesia stood at fifth position with $276 million imports. Other major importers are Vietnam ($401 million), Malaysia ($380 million), Egypt ($295 million) and Iraq ($142 million).
Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said that all importing countries can safely procure Indian origin frozen boneless Buffalo meat.
The Buffalo meat is prepared and exported in accordance with OIE (Office International des Epizooties or World Organisation for Animal Health) guidelines for any risk mitigation. Only boneless buffalo meat is allowed for export from India which is safe and risk-free. The Buffalo meat exports from India are going on smoothly and there are no hurdles in the supply chain. The affordably priced buffalo meat is contributing towards food security and food price inflation control in the importing countries.
The commerce ministry said there have been several interventions by the government to control and eradicate various livestock diseases. The launching of the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) in June 2019 to control FMD and Brucellosis by 2025 with vaccination and eradication of the disease by 2030 is one of the flagship schemes of the government. In order to fully contain and eradicate the diseases, 100% cost of the vaccine is borne by the central government for which an outlay of Rs. 13,343 crore has been made. Under this programme all vaccinated animals are ear-tagged and complete traceability is maintained. India’s official FMD Control Programme received OIE’s endorsement, as per the provisions of the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code,” it added.