Meat imports from India

Meat imports from India

Since the government announced its intention to import beef
from India, sharp reactions have come from various sides. In the
past week alone, scores of reports have appeared in the media.
Views for and against the plan have been aired. The incident is
reminiscent of the mad cow disease furor which shook Britain some
time ago.

Indonesia actually planned to import beef from India as early
as 1992. At that time, however, the plan was abandoned after a
team of experts sent to India recommended against the import.

Nevertheless, we cannot close our eyes to the reality that we
depend on only a few countries to supply us with cattle. From
Australia alone, Indonesia imports some 500,000 cows annually.

In any event, the experts the government now plans to send to
India must make every effort to protect our country against
importing foot-and-mouth disease. Since their recommendations
will determine what policy the government will adopt, the team
members must perform their task responsibly.

And an interesting question is whether the import of cheap
meat could shatter the business of meat importers, at present
controlled by certain individuals. Could it be that... ?

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta