Indonesia's backyard poultry farms face shutdown in Jakarta

Backyard poultry husbandries and slaughterhouses in Jakarta, Indonesiawill be closed in light of a recent avian influenza outbreak in South Jakarta.

Dozens of fowl were culled last week in Cilandak, South Jakarta, following a positive confirmation of avian flu in some birds.

A request has be made by Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, the Jakarta Governor, to relocate backyard farms and slaughterhouses in the capital away from the infectious movement of bird flu.

Purnama further claims that these facilities will no longer exist in neigbourhoods by 2017. "I have told my officers to close them down," he remarked.

However, the lack of suitable sites has pose a challenge for relocations. Still, the problem will be tackled, using funds obtained from developers in Jakarta through corporate social responsibility programmes or compensation funds, Purnama added.

In the meantime, the Fisheries, Agriculture and Food Security Agency plans to avail ample facilities for the relocation efforts, according to its head, Darjamuni Taseda.

Despite the limited number of facilities, Taseda said that there are already existing relocation sites. In addition, 14 shelters are made ready in Jakarta, with more expected to be established in Rawa Terate in Cakung, East Jakarta, Rorotan in Cilincing, North Jakarta, and Petukangan in Pesanggrahan, South Jakarta.

The Rawa Terate site, Taseda commented, would be 10,000 square meters. The Rorotan facility would be 4,800 square meters while the Petukangan location would measure at 3,000 square meters.

The Jakarta Administration bylaw, No. 4/2007 on Poultry Control, is currently enforced, Taseda said. Under the law, poultry breeders must receive a license from city authorities and keep animals at least 25 meters from residential areas.

Although owners demanded compensation for culled poultry, the recent policy to control bird flu is generally accepted, Taseda added. However, no compensation will be disbursed based on the government''s order.

- The Jakarta Post