Biosecurity practices demonstration in Poultry slaughterhouse at a market in Tangerang, Indonesia

Tangerang, the results of surveillance for avian influenza virus in poultry markets in the Greater Jakarta area, which has been carried out since 2009 indicated that avian flu virus is found in 60-70% of Jakarta’s live bird markets. Poultry facilities such as poultry transport vehicles, poultry collector yards and slaughterhouses (RPHU) have a high potential to spread avian flu viruses to consumers when poultry marketing facilities and/or vehicles are contaminated with the virus.

To minimize the spread of avian influenza viruses and other zoonotic diseases in poultry markets, the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO ECTAD Indonesia collaborated with the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade, Regional Governments and Market Managers such as PD Pasar Jaya, PD Pasar Niaga Kertaraharja and, PD Tohaga Market to raise awareness and build capacity on the importance of biosecurity to poultry businesses in poultry markets and poultry slaughterhouses (RPHU) in Greater Jakarta.

In 2017, the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and FAO conducted studies on biosecurity practices in 20 markets in Greater Jakarta and implemented improved biosecurity practices in Sukatani Market (Depok City) as a pilot of the healthy markets project. This year, the project will be carried out in five selected markets and RPHU: Pasar Senen (Jakarta); Pasar Kemis (Tangerang Regency) and Cariu (Bogor Regency); RPHU Rorotan (Jakarta) and RPHU Risma Jaya (Tangerang) from August to December 2018.

Biosecurity practices in poultry markets and slaughterhouses

Based on the results of surveys conducted by the Ministry of Health, only 11% of 399 markets in 14 provinces have met health requirements. A spokesperson for the Directorate of Environmental Health, Ministry of Health, Adelina Hutahuruk, SKM, MSc. PH. explained that behavior and awareness of traders, consumers and market managers’ play an important role to operate healthy poultry markets. "In many markets, most people still litter, spit, do not use soap to wash their hands and do many other unhealthy activities. These cause disease transmission," she explained.

To counter these bad practices, there is a need to raise awareness and commitment to improve hygiene and health in market by implementing improved biosecurity practices. Good biosecurity prevents bacteria from entering, growing and spreading in locations such as farms, protect chickens, and in markets protects human from disease. To achieve this goal, requires routine implementation of good biosecurity practices by traders and market managers.

Drh. Arif Wicaksono, Head of the Sub-directorate of Animal Disease Prevention and Eradication (P3H), MoA Directorate of Animal Health, encouraged poultry market chain actors to always carry out good biosecurity practices. This must begin with live bird markets, slaughterhouses, poultry market traders, market managers, and market cleaners," he said.

Furthermore, drh. Arif said that poultry traders run a high risk to being infected by avian flu, if there are any sick birds entering live bird or poultry markets. The virus can be transmitted through feathers, feces, internal organs, and blood. "Thus, it is crucial to maintain the cleanliness of the environment and market equipment such as baskets, knives, poultry display tables, floors, and so on. After cleaning and washing equipment with detergent, it is necessary to spray disinfectant to make surfaces cleaner and healthier. Traders should wear masks, aprons, gloves and boots for personal protection during cleaning,” he said.

Socialization of ayam ASUH

Besides raising awareness on biosecurity, this healthy market project also carried out socialization of Ayam ASUH (Safe, Healthy, Whole and Halal chicken meat). The campaign aims to provide information about the benefits and advantages of consuming Ayam ASUH. Drh. Gunawan Budi Utomo, FAO National Technical Advisor, explained, "FAO has supported the government's campaign on Ayam ASUH since 2010. We recognize there are still many people who don’t know the benefits of Ayam ASUH, but we are committed to continue this campaign, "he said.

Similarly, Drh. Diah Nurhayati from the MoA Directorate of Veterinary Public Health stated that Ayam ASUH has the advantages of not containing biological, chemical, and other substances that could harm our health (safe), is nutritious (healthy), is not mixed with other ingredients (whole) and is slaughtered and handled according to Islamic law (halal).

While the campaign is continuing, the team faces some challenges, especially people’s poor understanding of the Ayam ASUH cold chain. Following slaughtering, Ayam ASUH is immediately washed with clean water, chilled to 4o C and wrapped in plastic until it reaches the consumer to prevent contamination with bacteria and viruses. "Besides avoiding disease, this cold chain process also slows down meat spoiling. Therefore, it is not necessary to use formalin to preserve meat, "added Drh. Diah.

Traders and consumers still think that it is better to sell and buy fresh chicken meat rather than the frozen one.” Drh. Diah added, "We need to change this perception, because poultry slaughterhouses that produce Ayam ASUH, especially those certified by Veterinary Control Certificates, provide food safety guarantees to consumers, " she said.

The Ayam ASUH Campaign will be continued so that people receive the right information and will be more aware of healthy and high-quality chicken meat products.