REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA - Government explores some opportunities to reopen export of processed chicken products to Japan. Director General of Livestock and Animal Health in Ministry of Agriculture, Syukur Iwantoro said that the Ministry had a meeting with Ambassador of Japan to Indonesia, Ushio Shigeru, accompanied by Japanese Agricultural Attache, Food Ingredients and Agro-Industry, Kazuko Takabatake.
"Indonesia has been exporting frozen chicken meat to Japan in 2000. However, the exports were halted after the bird flu outbreak in indonesia," Iwantoro said recently.
During the meeting, Shigeru said that Japan had been declared as a country that free from foot and mouth disease without vaccination by International Organization for Animal Health. In turn, Japan hopes to export its frozen meat to Indonesia.
"We encourage them to open a premium ranch," Iwantoro said.
Japan is one of potential cattle suppliers to Indonesia, beside Papua Nuew Guinea, the Philippines and some Pacific countries. Japan has also several slaughter houses with halal compliance certificate.