Australia, RI to fight animal diseases

Australia and Indonesia are working together to help control infectious animal diseases in South Sulawesi and West Sulawesi provinces in a new partnership to strengthen animal health systems.

The A$22 million (US$21.86 million) Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Emerging Infectious Diseases is funded by AusAID and will be delivered by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in collaboration with Indonesian animal health authorities and the Indonesian Agriculture Ministry, the Australian Embassy said in a press statement on Thursday.

The Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Emerging Infectious Diseases focuses on Sulawesi as it is a key center for livestock production for eastern Indonesia, an area relatively close to Australia’s northern borders.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty, said that the program was a great example of partnership between the two countries that would benefit both Indonesians and Australians. The partnership will include technical and field activities in both provinces that will work towards a long-term and sustainable animal health system.

All program activities aim to build the country’s own capacity to control and prevent diseases.

“A more robust animal health system in Indonesia will help protect human and animal health and increase livestock production, as well as reduce poverty and promote regional stability,” Moriarty said in the statement.

"Livestock production employs many people in South and West Sulawesi - a major center for cattle and poultry production for eastern Indonesia with a largely rural population."

The program works towards the control and eradication of emerging animal diseases, such as rabies and avian influenza, which currently causes severe disease and even death among humans in Indonesia.

"Diseases don’t recognize man-made boundaries. This program supports the development of strong coordination to control and prevent diseases that may cross municipal, inter-island and even international borders," Moriarty said.

This program builds on a long history of close cooperation between Australia and Indonesia, both in the strengthening of animal health capacity, and more broadly. (iwa)