Australia, Indonesia join in fight against animal diseases

Indonesia and Australia are working together to control infectious animal diseases in South Sulawesi and West Sulawesi in a new partnership to strengthen animal health systems, a press statement from the Australian Embassy in Jakarta said here on Wednesday. The 22-million-U.S. dollar Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Emerging Infectious Diseases is funded by AusAID and will be delivered by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in collaboration with Indonesian animal health authorities and the Indonesian Agriculture Ministry. The Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Emerging Infectious Diseases focuses on Sulawesi, a key center for livestock production in eastern Indonesia, relatively close to Australia's northern borders. The Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty said that the program is an example of partnership between the two countries that will benefit both Indonesians and Australians. The partnership will include technical and field activities in both provinces that will work towards a long-term and sustainable animal health system. All program activities aim to build the country's own capacity to control and prevent diseases. "A more robust animal health system in Indonesia will help protect human and animal health and increase livestock production, as well as reduce poverty and promote regional stability," said Moriarty. He added that livestock production employs many people in South and West Sulawesi with a large rural population. The program works towards the control and eradication of emerging animal diseases, such as rabies and avian influenza. "Diseases don't recognize man-made boundaries. This program supports the development of strong coordination to control and prevent diseases that may cross municipal, inter-island and even international borders," said Moriarty.