By Taufik Wijaya KBR68H Jakarta
INTRODUCTION: Indonesia is considered as being successful in controlling bird flu by some foreign countries. This is indicated by the decrease of death rate. Up to November, this year’s death rate reached 18 cases. However, National Committee of AI Control warns that H5N1 virus is still threatening people. Last case happened to a person in Semarang, Central Java who died due to the deadly virus. According to the study’s result conducted by some agencies, one of the deadly virus transmission sources is at traditional market. Then how is the awareness and anticipation of traders, poultry slaughterers, market management and consumers to prevent bird flu virus spread? KBR68H reporter Taufik Wijaya tried to find out about this matter in Jatinegara Market, Jakarta and Bumi Serpong Damai Market, Tangerang Banten. Listen to the complete report as follows:
Part 1_Poultry Management in Jatinegara Market
Fade in 081028-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere at Jatinegara Market Fade out
It was cloudy in the afternoon at Jatinegara Market. The clock showed 16.30. Some traders were taking care of their leftover product. The same busywork was seen in the poultry market, which is located separately from the main market in the eastern part of Jakarta.
Fade in 081028-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere at Jatinegara chicken market Here, many traders are earning their living Fade out
At one of the corners, some poultry traders were enjoying their conversation. Bad smell of chicken feces is pungent but did not bother them.
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere with sound of chickens at Jatinegara Market.
I then met one of the traders, Ahmad Supardi. To this middle age man, I asked about the impact of bird flu virus to his business.
081028-68h-Fik- Saga_Supardi on bird flu issue (it is very clear (suffered losses).
“In my opinion, actually it (bird flu virus) is just a rumor. There are hidden interests. Because it relates to people’s economy especially at local level)”
Supardi still does not believe that the virus originating from poultry has killed more than 100 people since 2005.
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere of conversation with supardi (these are broilers, male native chickens and ducks…)
Supardi said that in one day around 200 chickens are sold out. Native chickens and broilers are supplied, among others, from Banjar, Subang West Java and Semarang, Central Java.
081110-68h-Fik-Saga_atmoshpere of chicken supplies from truck
When a truck supplying poultry from Semarang arrived, three workers directly unloaded hundreds of chickens in bamboo cages into the market.
081110-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere of chicken supplies from truck
Poultry supply is usually sent every two days. The poultry then are moved to 2 meter by 1 meter iron cages. One cage contains between 10 to 15 chickens.
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere of chicken crowing at Jatinegara Market_2
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_Supardi on chicken supply
(Q: can you please tell us when you receive live chickens, what are the treatment and welfare for the chickens to prevent bird flu?) “We are traders, so the circulation is regular, it means come and go. So they do not stay overnight in the cages and directly we feed and give drink then sold. It is for Javanese chickens. So they do not stay until 3-4 days (in the market), it is also a risk.”
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere of chicken crowing at Jatinegara Market_2
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_Supardi on refusing to sell chicken carcass
(Q:government and WHO recommend that traders should sell chicken carcass, what do you think) “This is a traditional market and, I beg your pardon, the majority of consumers are Moslems. They are still fanatic. And there are consumers who ask chickens slaughtered on the spot) Other trader, Yulianti, also gave comments. 081028-68h-Fik-Saga_Yuli on refusing to sell chicken carcass (the chickens are not fresh, while I also supply them to supermarket. Lethargic chickens are also not good. So let the traditional market be, as well as the supermarket)”
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_Supardi on the hygiene of the area and cages
(Q: here we have regular cleaning. Here every afternoon it is cleaned and sprayed. What time is it usually?) “See that …” Supardi pointed to the market’s cleaning service, who were getting ready to clean the market’s floor with water hose and palm leaves-broom.
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_Supardi on the hygiene of the area and cages_2
(Q:So before closing, the market is cleaned, it is regularly done. Do you spray with disinfectant?) “Yes we did before last lebaran (Islamic celebration), we also sprayed.” (Q: Still doing that regularly?) “Yes, we still do it but we spray only in particular spots. Twice a month.”
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere of cleaning service cleans the floor
Supardi was convinced that the effort with market management so far would be able to prevent bird flu virus spreading successfully. That it the trader’s point of view, however what do consumers think about the management of this market? Rosmani described:
081201-68h-Fik-Saga_Rosmani on poultry management
“Yes, it is just fine. The problem is that I have never heard any bird flu infection (at Jatinegara market). Yes, it is just fine.” (Q: Do you have any intention that Jatinegara market will only sell carcass?) “Yes, except for hari raya (Islamic celebration), it is better to sell (live poultry). Because I want to have fresh product) Rosmani, a resident of Kampung Melayu Jakarta, admitted that she buys chicken meat at Jatinegara market daily and one of her tricks to prevent from getting infected by H5N1 deadly virus is by cooking the chicken meat in accordance with regulation.”
081201-68h-Fik-Saga_Rosmani on proper chicken cooking
“For bird flu, if we cook the meat properly it will be fine. I have been shopping here for 5 years and hopefully there is no (bird flu virus).” (Q: Do you wash with soap after shopping?) “Yes, I wash hands with soap too.”
From traders and consumers, I moved to the slaughter site. At Jatinegara market the slaughter site is attached to the market.
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere of chicken slaughter site
In one of the slaughter houses, tens of poultry ready to be slaughtered were put on the wet floor. The smell of blood and waste of poultry feces wass pungent. Three workers were busy slaughtering, cleaning and boiling broilers. They did not wear masks to cover their noses and only worn simple footwear.
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_ atmosphere of chicken slaughter site
One of the slaughterers, Muhammad Nur, admitted that 500 chickens are slaughtered in one day.
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_Nur on bird flu
(Q: since the bird flu outbreak, what efforts have you taken to keep the hygiene?) “For sure, bird flu issue is a lie..lie..if you will die..you die. I beg your pardon but I have been (working) since 1980. Until now I am just fine)”
Fade in 081110-68h-Fik-Saga_ atmosphere of chicken slaughter site
Nur then asked me to visit his slaughter site.
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_Nur on chicken slaughter site
(Q: what facilities are provided here?) “Water, electricity, slaughter barrel. After being slaughtered and cleaned, the chickens are put into a drum. After they die, then we boil them. Then moved to the machine and put on the table.” (Q: Can consumers directly watch the process?) “Yes, they can.”
Next to the slaughter site, Nur’s workers rested while watching television on a bamboo couch. At the other corner, some clothes and towels belong to the workers were hanging just like that under the bed.
081028-68h-Fik-Saga_Nur on not staying overnight and soap
(Q: what is this place above for?) “Oh.. this is a place for my workers to change clothes. Do they stay overnight here? Oh..no, this is just for changing clothes. They go home directly. Do you provide soap and other hygiene equipments? Yes, there is soap. After slaughtering they directly take a bath.)”
Fade in 081028-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere at Jatinegara Market Fade out
That was a bit description of poultry management in the traditional market Jatinegara Jakarta. What about poultry management in BSD modern market in Serpong? You can listen to the story right after the break
Fade in 081028-68h-Fik-Saga_ atmosphere at Jatinegara Market
Part 2_Poultry management in BSD modern market
Fade in 081029-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere at BSD modern market, Tangerang, Banten (noisy sound of the market and kindergarten kids)
Many kindergarten pupils were marching. Sometimes their accompanying teachers warned them not to get out of the line. These kids were visiting Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) modern market, Tangerang, Banten.
Fade out
Just like its name, modern market. It is far from wet, dirty and smelly like in other traditional markets. With this situation, visitors feel comfortable to shop. Even it becomes a good place for learning.
081029-68h-Fik-Saga_Anda on BSD modern market
This modern market was initially a traditional market. It was established in 1990. In 2004 we relocated and in July 2004 we opened again. So a wet traditional market with bad smell was moved to a better place.) It was Anda Saenan, Commercial Area Manager of BSD Market.
Fade in 081029-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere at BSD modern market Tangerang, Banten_two
You mentioned some efforts that have been conducted to prevent bird flu virus spread.
081029-68h-Fik-Saga_Anda on some efforts to prevent bird flu
“Currently our market is just clean market but not a healthy market yet. According to the standards of the Ministry of Health, there should be no live birds sold in the market, should be in the form of carcass or ready to cook. At our market there are still some vendors selling live poultry but not many of them. Our efforts to minimize the possibility of bird flu occurrence is that twice a week we spray the market with disinfectant. For slaughter sites outside of the market, we spray disinfectant everyday …”
Fade in 081029-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere with the sound of poultry in BSD market Fade out
Widya was one of consumers buying poultry in the market. This resident of Serpong admitted that she comes to the market every week.
081029-68h-Fik-Saga_ on the efforts to prevent bird flu
(Q: Why do you buy chicken carcass in this market?) “I do not want to buy from supermarket, it takes long time to wait, and it is also not guaranteed. Here we can see directly (see the condition of poultry). (Q: To prevent AI transmission, what do you do?) “Actually native chicken is better. But if the chicken is healthy, I will buy…)”
Fade in 081029-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere with the sound of poultry in BSD market Fade out
There are 7 live poultry vendors, the other 24 vendors sell poultry products ready to cook or carcass. Each vendor has kiosk with the size of 2 m by 2 m..
Fade in 081029-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere with the sound of poultry in BSD market
One of the tricks used by vendors to prevent bird flu transmission is by always taking care of their personal hygiene and the kiosk. Enjum Marwan described:
081029-68h-Fik-Saga_Enjum on personal and kiosk hygiene
“When we finish our trading at around 1 pm, we do cleaning. So the cage is not dirty with chicken’s feces. (if cage is clean) consumers become interested to buy. (Q: What about you and your children, how do you prevent bird flu?) “Just to keep clean, not dirty. We wear plastic so that our body is not dirty. (Q: Do you wear boots?) “Yes, we do.”
The same measurement is also done by other poultry trader, Rosikin.
081029-68h-Fik-Saga_Rosikin on fresh poultry for sale
“Yes, we have to sell fresh chicken. We also check the quality. We can differentiate the healthy and unhealthy product).”
While slaughtering chickens, Rosikin’s wife explained the hygiene facilities in the trading area.
081029-68h-Fik-Saga_Tri on hygiene facilities
(Q: What are the things provided here ma’am?) “There is tap water. Soap to wash hand. And then in the afternoon we do sterilization) From the live poultry section, I moved out to poultry slaughter location.”
Fade in 081117-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere with the sound of chickens in BSD slaughter site. The distance is 10 meters from BSD market location. Fade out
The slaughter site is located indoor. There are four slaughter sites. During the visit, the feathers and feces were scattered everywhere. Many chickens ready to be slaughtered were put in plastic cages in the corner of the building. Hermino is a poultry slaughterer.
081117-68h-Fik-Saga_Mino on poultry slaughtering
(Q: when the chickens are brought in, are they brought here or directly to market?) “They come here first, for sure. Many of them. My boss has supplies of 300 chickens, supplied at dawn from Cengkareng and Ciputat).”
081117-68h-Fik-Saga_atmosphere with the sound of chickens in BSD market slaughter house
National Committee of Bird Flu Control finds that live poultry separation is a proper step taken by BSD market. As described by the vice chairman, Emil Agustiono
081029-68h-Fik-Saga_Emil on government efforts
“Iit is important to separate live poultry from the kiosk. So they are separated, cleaned thoroughly in one day, if possible to have a rest day. Government and FAO with donors have developed healthy market, to make traditional market cleaner and free from zoonotic viruses, actually not only bird flu.)”
Emil admitted it is not easy to change more than thirteen thousand traditional markets in Indonesia which are wet, dirty and smelly to become clean and neat like BSD market.
081029-68h-Fik-Saga_Emil on healthy market
“That is why our duty is to encourage local government to understand more that traditional market is one of bird flu source of infection. The constraint is about lack of understanding. For funding, it can be from two sources, from National Budget or Regional Budget and from donors. And we would like to get funding from private sector. Other poultry industry can contribute to develop healthy traditional markets. Besides becoming a clean market, BSD market is also ready to be designated as a pilot project of healthy market in Indonesia.”
Back to the Commercial Area Manager, Anda Saenan
081029-68h-Fik-Saga_Anda on BSD market ready as a pilot project
“National committee of bird flu talks on the paper only or theory, so it’s a bit difficult. They should make a pilot project that can be an example especially for all over Indonesia. How you control bird flu, how to become a healthy market.” (Q: And is BSD market ready to be a pilot project?) “Hopefully if we see the current situation with traditional market, maybe BSD market is easier to do it, but that does not mean that other markets are worse.) Action taken by BSD market to prevent bird flu virus transmission should be adopted by other traditional market managements. Some traditional market managements, vendors and slaughterers are lacking of bird flu danger threat awareness, therefore related government should pay attention on this matter. Consumers also have to remain in alert and observe the condition of market and poultry when doing shopping anywhere.”
This is SAGA KBR68H, I am Taufik Wijaya, thank you for listening.
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