Foot-and-mouth disease is casting a shadow over Indonesia’s Eid al-Adha this year, as livestock traders in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country bemoan reduced sales.
In the run-up to Eid, temporary pens to house cows and goats usually appear on busy roads in the Indonesian capital and across the country.
But this year, the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, a contagious viral disease affecting cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, has led to a sharp drop in sales.
“This year is a lost year for us,” said Jamal Lulai, a trader in West Java who has only sold 50 cows this year (2022). Before Covid, we could sell up to 330 cows, and during Covid, we were selling about 170. This year’s sales have dropped dramatically.”
Indonesia has launched a nationwide livestock vaccination program in a bid to stem the outbreak that began in May.
More than 317,000 animals have been contaminated in 21 Indonesian provinces, mostly on the most populous islands of Java and Sumatra, where authorities have culled more than 3,400 animals, according to government data.
While the disease can be fatal to animals, it is not generally considered a threat to human health.
“People’s enthusiasm for sacrifice has not diminished, but they are more concerned about the health of the animals,” said Muhammad Hussain Al-Banna, a livestock trader in Jakarta.
Until May, the Southeast Asian country had been FMD-free since 1986.
“Ultimately, the decision is up to the consumer,” said Iskandar Saputra, a buyer in Jakarta who is still ready to take the risk.
“I think the cows sold here are safe and sound,” he added.
