YOGYAKARTA – Animal Husbandry Association of Indonesia (ISPI) of the Province of Yogyakarta Special Region expressed concerns over the slump of cattle prices in the market. According to the association, this is highly correlated with the presence of hundreds of containers of frozen beef up to 300 pieces.
It can be calculated, if one container consists of 40 tons of meat, while one cow butchered to produce about 150 kg of meat, then one container is equivalent to 266 live cattle. The presence of 300 containers of illegal meat that has been lately discussed in the media would be equivalent to 80 thousand cattle worth 640 billion rupiah. "These conditions can not be allowed and the government must take a stand to protect domestic farmers," said Chairman of the association, Prof. Dr. Ir. Ali Agus, D.A.A, D.E.A, Thursday (24/3), at the UGM Faculty of Animal Science.
The Professor of UGM Animal Science conveys that his organisation urged the government to solve the problem by returning the meat to the original country. If not returned, the meat has to be destroyed for the sake of law and order as well as fairness. "It is important to fully investigate and penalize perpetrators of smuggling according to the law," he said.
Furthermore, the government should also take precautions against the possibility of similar actions in several ports which may be used as an entrance for smuggling of illegal goods. In addition, they also appealed to the public to be more careful against frozen beef that may come from illegal beef and has questionable halal status.