The Netherlands Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has its own representative office in Indonesia. The main task of this representation is to support the mission statement of the Ministry, which is:

To realise a sustainable agriculture, robust nature, a countryside where everyone feels at home and good quality food.

The office of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality works to realise this mission by strengthening institutional development and capacity building programs, mutual investment and stimulus of trade.

With regards to institutional development and capacity building, the Jakarta office works closely with the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, private sector and farmer groups in areas of mutual interest. We are mainly active in the following sectors; horticulture, livestock, fisheries and the processing industry. Themes for our cooperation are linking farmers to markets, strengthening horticultural research, food safety and agricultural policy, to name a few.

Avian Influenza

Some human health aspects

• Until now humans have incidentally been infected with the bird flue virus (H5N1) due to intensive contact with infected poultry.
• Scientists are worried that the virus may mutate into a form that could be very dangerous for humans because it allows human-to-human infection. That could be a start of a worldwide pandemic. In that case it will take some months to develop an adequate vaccine.
• The only medicine against bird flu at this moment is the so-called Tamiflu. This anti-viral medice helps to prevent the virus from spreading inside the body or to ease the symptoms if you are already affected. The medicine only reduces the spread of the virus inside the body.
• You should be treated as soon as possible and within 48 hours of experiencing the symptoms or contact with infected poultry/persons
• Poultry meat is safe if taking normal hygienic precaution measures (such as washing hands frequently). The virus kills at 70 centigrade. Only eat well cooked, fried or baked meat.

Further information can be found on the website of the World Health Organisation  www.who.org.

Socio-economic significance of Dutch Agribusiness / Food Sector:

• The agri-food complex represents a gross added value of approximately € 40,300 million or 10% of the GDP.
• The cluster provides over 660,000 jobs or 10% of the national employment.
• The Netherlands is the world's second largest net exporter of agricultural products.
• Around 75% of agricultural production is exported, 85% of this goes to the internal EU market.
• 40% of raw materials used by the Dutch food industry originate abroad.
• 60% of the total surface area of the Netherlands (land and water) is used by the agricultural sector.
• Almost 20% of all Dutch logistics is agri-logistics. One in three Lorries in domestic traffic carries agri-products.

Introduction to the Partnership on Market Access

At the World Conference on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in Johannesburg the Netherlands Government launched the Partnership on Market Access. WSSD Partnerships aim at collaborative efforts of public and private partners, civil society organisations and intergovernmental organisations to reach common objectives in a particular field of interest and to contribute to the implementation of the WSSD Programme of Action.

Main objectives
The Partnership on Market Access has the objective to improve market access of food and agricultural products from developing countries to the markets of Europe and other industrialized countries by enhancing co-operation in the field of safety standards related to health and veterinary and phytosanitary measures (SPS matters). Trilateral partnerships between Indonesia, Malaysia and the Netherlands have been established for palm oil, shrimps, and tropical fruits and vegetables.

Partnership on Palm Oil
The Palm Oil Partnership has finalized a work plan that serves as the framework for activities under the Partnership. The adopted work plan consists of a mechanism to manage the different proposed projects and activities and highlights the activities for which the Partnership is expected to develop projects. The following activities were chosen:

• Studies on possible presence of mineral oils in crude palm oil; 
• Co-operation and exchange of information; 
• Capacity building; 
• Sustainable production.

The Partnership considers the initial phase of preparatory work has been successfully concluded and that a new phase can commence, focusing on the implementation of priority projects.

Partnership on Shrimp Product Safeguarding
The Shrimp Product Safeguarding Partnership has agreed to undertake several projects, which will focus on the following main themes:

• Chain management; 
• Promotion of sustainable production; 
• Market development.

The focus of the activities in Indonesia and Malaysia will vary according to the specific situation and needs of each country, while at the same time avoid duplications and strive to share relevant experience and knowledge to all stakeholders.

Partnership on Market Access for Tropical Fruits and Vegetables
Based on extensive consultations amongst stakeholders, the Partnership on Market Access for Tropical Fruits and Vegetables has decided to integrate the activities within the framework of the Partnership into the following project proposals:

• Market analysis of trade flows, consumer preferences and prospects; 
• Information exchange systems; 
• Harmonization of MRLs; 
• Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), accreditation and certification; 
• Post-harvest handling and technology.

In further developing and implementing these proposals, attention will also be paid to opportunities for organic fruits and vegetables. The partnership program has completed in 2008.