Fonterra Indonesia offers foot-and-mouth disease vaccine support to combat outbreak
Indonesia continues to tackle the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), affecting cloven-hoofed domestic animals including dairy cattle. The highly transmissible disease does not affect humans, but causes lesions and lameness in cattle and sheep and can have a major impact on animal health and trade.
The Government of Indonesia is aiming to have the outbreak under control by the end of this year and has implemented several micro-based strategies in rural areas, including biosecurity, treatment, and a massive vaccination program to protect its millions of livestock.
Fonterra Indonesia supported with vaccines for local dairy cows in the district of Padang Panjang, West Sumatra where it runs its award-winning Fonterra’s Dairy Development initiative; a programme that sees the NZ dairy expert collaborating with Indonesian dairy farmers and local government to improve dairy farming practices in local communities and support dairy farmers across the value chain.
To support these efforts, Fonterra Indonesia supported with vaccines for local dairy cows in the district of Padang Panjang, West Sumatra where it runs its award-winning Fonterra’s Dairy Development initiative; a programme that sees the NZ dairy expert collaborating with Indonesian dairy farmers and local government to improve dairy farming practices in local communities and support dairy farmers across the value chain.
The partnership is into its ninth year and continues to be strongly endorsed by farmers and the local authorities.
Senior Manager Dairy Development and Government Affairs, Budwi Brontosantoso, said it was only fitting that the business stepped in to support even in small ways to help the Padang Panjang cluster deliver 100% vaccination coverage of FMD sensitive cattle within the territory.
“As a Co-op, we produce dairy only in a way that cares for people, animals and our environment, and brings value to our communities,” he said. “Cows are the heart of every dairy farm, and their health and welfare are of paramount importance to us.”
Healthy, well-cared-for animals are vital to producing safe, high-quality milk.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia, Airlangga Hartarto referenced Fonterra’s support during his recent meeting with the New Zealand Minister of Agriculture, Damien O'Connor at the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF MM) ministerial meeting in Los Angeles, United States.