Definition of Veterinary Public Health
Veterinary Public Health (Kesmavet) is an integral part of public health that focuses on the application of veterinary medicine principles to protect and enhance human physical, mental, and social well-being.
In the Indonesian context, Kesmavet refers to all matters related to animals and animal products that can directly or indirectly affect human health. Its primary focus includes ensuring the cleanliness and safety of animal products, controlling diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans (zoonoses), and overseeing animal welfare in agricultural and livestock activities. Through various initiatives and regulations, Kesmavet plays a crucial role in maintaining public health and food safety in Indonesia.
The Role of the Directorate of Veterinary Public Health in Public Health
In Indonesia, Kesmavet is defined as all matters related to animals and animal products that can affect human health (Government Regulation No. 95 of 2012). This is crucial given the close relationship between animal health, public health, and food safety.
The Directorate of Veterinary Public Health (Dit. Kesmavet), established by the Ministry of Agriculture, aims to address various challenges related to food safety, product halalness, animal welfare, and environmental health. In carrying out its duties, Dit. Kesmavet has several main functions:
- Ensuring Hygiene and Sanitation: Ensuring cleanliness and sanitation in the production and distribution of animal products.
- Ensuring Animal Product Safety: Through strict supervision, Dit. Kesmavet is responsible for ensuring that animal products circulating in the community are safe for consumption.
- Standardizing Sanitation: Setting sanitation standards that must be followed at every stage of animal product production.
- Controlling and Combating Zoonoses: Zoonoses are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Dit. Kesmavet is tasked with controlling and combating the spread of these diseases.
- Supervising Animal Welfare: Overseeing the implementation of animal welfare principles in agricultural and livestock activities.
The Importance of Company Compliance with Directorate Kesmavet Regulations
Maintaining public health related to consumed food also requires cooperative attitudes from companies producing the food. Regal Springs Indonesia is one such tilapia farming company operating in Indonesia that consistently complies with these regulations for public safety.
As a company that cares about food safety and animal welfare, Regal Springs Indonesia always adheres to the regulations of the Republic of Indonesia’s government, including those from the Ministry of Agriculture – Directorate of Veterinary Public Health.
In its operations, Regal Springs Indonesia ensures that every stage of tilapia production complies with established sanitation standards, maintains animal product safety, and considers animal welfare. This aligns with Dit. Kesmavet’s mission to protect public health by overseeing the animal products circulating in the community.
Thus, awareness of the important role of Dit. Kesmavet and the compliance of companies like Regal Springs Indonesia with government regulations are key to maintaining public health and food safety in Indonesia.
