A Step Toward a National Committee for Farmed Animal Welfare: First Asia for Animals (AfA) Regional Meeting in Indonesia

On July 17, 2025, Across Species Project Indonesia (ASPI) attended the first Indonesia Regional Meeting held at Mercure Hotel Sanur, Bali, successfully organized by Sintesia Animal Indonesia in collaboration with the Asia for Animals (AfA) Farm Animal Coalition (FAC). The event, conducted in the format of a Focus Group Discussion, carried the theme: “Improving Farmed Animal Welfare in Indonesia: Working with the Government to Establish an Indonesian Farmed Animal Welfare Advisory Committee.” The discussion was attended by 65 participants from national and international animal welfare organizations, government institutions, academia, and industry representatives.

Bringing together various stakeholders in one room, the proposal to establish the Indonesian Farmed Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (IFAWAC) became the main agenda of the meeting. The committee is designed to provide independent advice to relevant ministries, support the realization of national and international animal welfare standards, and develop a comprehensive strategy for farmed animal welfare in Indonesia.

Drh. Hastho Yulianto, M.M., Head of the Animal Welfare Sub-Directorate, Directorate of Veterinary Public Health, Directorate General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, stated in his opening remarks that the lack of strong animal welfare regulations and their implementation, as well as low public awareness, continue to be key challenges. He emphasized that the government needs support from all sectors—business actors, academics, practitioners, and animal welfare advocates to work together in addressing animal welfare issues. 

Across Species Project Indonesia (ASPI) expressed our support for the proposed establishment of the committee. ASPI noted that although many organisations contribute to the issue of farmed animal welfare, the focus areas and approaches often differ. We believe that the proposed IFAWAC could serve as a unifying platform to align these diverse perspectives and deliver a more cohesive and impactful voice for farmed animal welfare in Indonesia.

In addition to ASPI, all animal welfare organizations present voiced strong support and a shared agreement on the formation of IFAWAC, as demonstrated through a written commitment. These organizations included Animal Friends Jogja (AFJ), Perkumpulan Ayam Sejahtera Indonesia (PASI), Animals Don’t Speak Human (ADSH), and the Indonesia Network for Compassionate Animal Farming (INCAF). Each organization emphasized the importance of taking a collaborative and decolonial approach, rooted in the principles of One Health & Welfare (OHW), to drive meaningful and lasting change for farmed animals across the country.

May this first step become a strong foundation for a better future for farmed animals in Indonesia.

Photo credit: Sintesia Animal Indonesia & Asia for Animals (AfA)