Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Ministry of Agriculture has temporarily suspended mutton import recommendations to safeguard local farmers from the impact of cheap imported meat, particularly from Australia.

“This policy ensures fair market conditions for local farmers who face challenges from low-priced imported meat,” said Agung Suganda, the Director-General of Livestock and Animal Health, on Sunday (1/12/2024).

The move was in accordance with Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman’s commitment to strengthening small-scale farming and supporting domestic food self-sufficiency. 

The ministry has engaged in consultations with farmers’ associations, including the Indonesian Sheep and Goat Farmers Association (HPDKI), and held a national forum in Boyolali in November to address their concerns.

On 24 November 2024, surprise inspections at 13 importer warehouses assessed compliance with regulations. Importers later pledged to report stock levels accurately and avoid distributing imported mutton to small businesses, preserving the market for local farmers.

In addition, the ministry is accelerating export agreements with Malaysia and Brunei to absorb surplus domestic production. 

“This initiative reduces import dependency while ensuring the sustainability of Indonesia’s livestock sector,” Agung said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)