Speaking of supporting ecosystems upstream, this cannot be separated from the condition and performance of slaughterhouses (RPH), both ruminants and poultry. This was stated by the Head of DEKS Bank Indonesia, Arief Hartawan, in a webinar with the theme “Easy Ways to Halal Certification for Slaughterhouses” on 24 May 2023 which included a series of activities at the LPPOM MUI Shawwal Festival 1444 H.
Data from the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs notes that of 1,884 RPH in Indonesia, 13.85% are halal-certified, and 15.24% have a legal Veterinary Control Number (NKV). This number needs to be increased, considering the vital role of slaughterhouses in the halal ecosystem in providing halal meat raw materials for businesses.
LPPOM MUI and Bank Indonesia held the Syawal Festival for RPH. This activity is essential to prepare slaughterhouses in Indonesia to be certified halal immediately and have NKV legality. Thus, this will accelerate the implementation of mandatory halal in Indonesia. According to Arief, this is in line with the direction of the Vice President during last year’s KNEKS plenary meeting, which requested that all parties push for halal certification of slaughterhouses throughout Indonesia.
“The Syawal Festival is also a concrete step for LPPOM MUI’s contribution to support halal certification in Indonesia. We express our high appreciation to LPPOM MUI, who has always been consistent and passionate about continuing to encourage and accelerate halal certification for business actors as important infrastructure in the halal ecosystem,” said Arief.
Indonesia, he continued, has the potential and opportunity to make the Islamic economy a new source of national growth. Even though Indonesia is still the main market target for world halal products, in recent years, Indonesia’s progress and position have been improving in the Islamic economic industry sector. Various efforts are increasingly being carried out to realize Indonesia’s goal of becoming the world’s halal center.
“We should be proud. In the last two years, slowly but surely, we can see a very progressive development of the increasing number of halal-certified products. BPJPH noted last year, there were nearly 900,000 products that were certified halal,” said Arief.
Halal certification will increase added value and increase the competitiveness of Indonesian products in local and global markets. This is because halal certification provides quality assurance, increases consumer confidence, has a unique selling point, and opens global market access.
“Fulfilling the intake of halal food and drink and thayyib, Insya Allah, will encourage an increase in the quality of life. Insya Allah, at a macro level, this will increase Indonesia’s human development index, which is an important key to national development,” explained Arief. (*)
