The Agriculture Ministry's quarantine body (Barantan) launched a campaign Wednesday to raise public awareness of the quarantine system to help curb the spread of bird flu.

The campaign, part of the Indonesian Quarantine Strengthening Program (IQSP), is a joint project by Barantan and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

Barantan chairman Syukur Iwantoro said correct quarantine procedures could minimize the spread of animal diseases such as avian flu, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), rabies and anthrax.

"People wanting to bring animals onto planes or ships should know the animals' health status and the safety standard requirements set by Barantan," he said.

He said many Indonesians were still unaware of quarantine procedures because of a lack of information.

"To provide information, as a start we have established a booth at Terminal 1 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. We are also distributing brochures about the system," he said.

Syukur said the project also aimed to strengthen Indonesia's quarantine system and to improve Barantan's capacity in dealing with quarantine related to the handling of avian flu.

Indonesia had recorded 134 positive bird flu cases with 109 fatalities as of May 14, according to the National Committee for Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.

Australia and Indonesia have been cooperating on quarantine for two years by carrying out projects to boost the capacity of the government quarantine bodies.

The Australian government provided IQSP with assistance worth A$1.3 million (US$1.2 million).

The campaign will run from May to July. It began in Jakarta, and will be followed by programs in seven other regions across the country -- Ambon (Maluku), Denpasar (Bali), Entikong (West Kalimantan), Kupang (East Nusa Tenggara), Makassar (South Sulawesi), Surabaya (East Java) and Timika (Papua).

Cilla Balard of AusAID said the Australian government was very concerned about avian flu outbreaks in Indonesia and wanted to assist in the fight against the disease.

"We are supporting the quarantine program and we think that the public awareness campaign is a vital part of the program. It's just the beginning of the long process," Ballard said.

Last year and in the first quarter of 2008, Barantan inspected a total of more than 164 million animals and their products nationwide.

People wanting to take animals abroad or to other regions must obtain a permit from the Agriculture Ministry.

Once at the airport the animals will be inspected by quarantine officials, who will issue health certificates if applicable.

For protected animals, owners have to show export permits issued by the Forestry Ministry.

A breach of the rule is subject to a maximum of five years in prison, under the 1992 law on quarantine.