Indonesia's poultry exports blocked by A/H1N1

Indonesia's export of processed poultry products to European countries is hindered by A/H1N1 virus issue, an official said Monday (June 21).

Don P. Utoyo, coordinator of Indonesian Poultry Society Forum, said that lobby of government-to-government (G-to-G) is required as Indonesian poultry processed products are safe to be consumed as they are well-cooked. "I am sure the G-to-G mechanism will succeed to pass through the blockade," Utoyo said.

Indonesian poultry producers are focusing to export their products to the Asean, Asia-Pacific countries as well as the US. He said that Indonesia could imitate Malaysia that is successful in making a specific system so that the country could declare itself as free of the virus.

According to Utoyo, Asean countries have similar food taste and Indonesia should take advantage of its flavour that is better compared with other countries. He said that cooperation between all stakeholders consisting on government, researcher, business sector, the press and public is very important to encourage the sector to export its products.

Desyanto Budi Utomo, chairman of Indonesian Poultry Society, said that foreign countries should not be doubt of safety on Indonesian poultry processed food.

However, only West Kalimantan province is currently declared to be virus-free. "We have to seize the opportunity by developing poultry industry in the province and exporting the products," Utomo said.