FIKKIA NEWS – Approaching Eid al-Adha 1447 H, the Veterinary Medicine Student Association (HMKH) FIKKIA Airlangga University held an online guest lecture titled "The Role of Veterinarians in Maintaining the Quality and Safety of Sacrificial Animals" on Tuesday (May 26, 2026). Ninety-five students attended the event via Zoom. The Head of the HMKH (Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Student Association), Muhammad Ivan Maulana (KH 2023), explained that the guest lecture is an important learning tool for veterinary students. He stated that examining sacrificial animals is not only related to animal health but also concerns the safety of food products for public consumption.
"The activity of examining sacrificial animals is a learning tool. As prospective veterinarians, students must be able to ensure that the animals being sacrificed are healthy, suitable, and in accordance with Islamic law," he said.
Guest lecture featuring Dr. Nanang Sugiharto, Head of Animal Health and Veterinary Public Health Banyuwangi Agriculture and Food ServiceIn his presentation, he explained that veterinarians play a crucial role in ensuring the quality of sacrificial animals from before to after slaughter.
According to him, the veterinarian's job extends beyond conducting pre-slaughter health checks. Veterinarians are also responsible for overseeing the slaughtering process, meat handling, and post-slaughter inspections. All of these stages aim to ensure that the sacrificial meat meets the ASUH principles, which are safe, healthy, intact, and halal.
Legal Basis for Animal Slaughter
In addition to explaining the role of veterinarians, Dr. Nanang outlined the regulations that form the basis for the implementation of sacrificial animal slaughter. Some of the regulations used include Law No. 18 of 2009, Law No. 41 of 2014, Government Regulation No. 95 of 2012, and Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 114 of 2014.
Participants also learned about the standards for handling sacrificial animals before slaughter. Animals must be housed in a safe, comfortable location, protected from extreme weather. Pens must be clean, have adequate capacity, and not cause stress to the animals. Regular health checks are provided, along with adequate food and water.
"Sacrificial animals must not be handled carelessly. Poor handling can cause stress and reduce the quality of the meat," explained Dr. Nanang.
Slaughter Procedures
The slaughter of a sacrificial animal must be carried out by a qualified slaughterer who is Muslim, has reached puberty, is skilled in slaughtering, and understands the procedures according to Islamic law. The slaughter is performed with a sharp knife, in a single cut, without lifting the knife from the neck, thus simultaneously severing three channels: the trachea, esophagus, and blood vessels, under the supervision of a veterinarian.
The next topic discusses antemortem and postmortem examinations. During antemortem examinations, veterinarians ensure the animal meets age requirements, is healthy, and is in good physical condition. After slaughter, a postmortem examination is performed to detect abnormalities in the carcass and internal organs.
Through this guest lecture, students gain a comprehensive understanding of sacrificial animal management. This activity is expected to equip prospective veterinarians with the competencies needed to support healthy, safe, and well-being-compliant sacrificial practices. With this knowledge, students are expected to contribute to maintaining food quality and safety, particularly during the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Author: Amalia Sofi Ramadanti
Editor: Avicenna C. Nisa