May 15, 2006

Indonesia stands by its endorsement of poultry despite bird flu

Indonesia's head of avian influenza control unit at the Agriculture Ministry, Darminto, said chicken meat helped improve the people's nutrition, and there are no major plans to replace chicken as the nation's primary meat protein source.

While Vietnam could afford to temporarily halt chicken farming and urged its farmers to switch to pig farming at the height of the bird flu crisis, Indonesia, being largely a Muslim nation whose religion abhors pigs, has no such option.

Darminto also explained that chickens and ducks and their eggs are the cheapest protein sources compared to other meats, he said.

Chicken meat costs less than US$2/kg in Indonesia, while cow and goat meats are sold for between US$3/kg to US$7/kg

Darminto said the government is also hoping to promote other alternatives to chickens, such as goat farming.

Health experts fear the poultry industry in Indonesia would be a breeding ground for H5N1 transmission if it is not better managed.

Sick and dead fowls in Indonesia have transmitted bird flu to at least 35 people, causing 25 fatalities.

Darminto said the government would continue efforts to contain the virus, which include stepping up biosecurity levels and strengthening surveillance and monitoring programmes.