MEAT GROUP TELLS DA: ADOPT ‘SCIENCE-BASED’ TRADE POLICIES

THE Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to adopt more “science-based” trade policies to ensure access of the industry to global raw material supplies and keep processed meat products “affordable.”

PAMPI and high-ranking officials of the DA met recently to discuss the concerns of the domestic meat processing industry.

In a statement, PAMPI said the group assured the DA that it will support the efforts of the government to improve the country’s food security.

“As we represent 85 percent of the country’s meat processors and food chains, we are committed to provide safe and affordable meat protein to the vast majority of consumers,” the group said on Thursday.

Among the topics discussed by the parties was the DA’S guidelines on imposing temporary import bans on countries with reported animal disease outbreaks.

PAMPI has been pushing for the government to adopt international rules on regionalization and zoning in terms of animal disease outbreaks.

“DA can help us with its science-based food safety and inspection systems, access to safe and nutritious meat materials from both local & global sources and constant collaboration to further refine food safety standards,” the group said.

The DA said Senior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban has already instructed the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to address the local meat processing industry’s concerns.

The other topics discussed by the parties involve the review of first border inspection policies, regulation of processed meat products, and the establishment of a Cold Examination Facility in Agriculture, according to the DA.

Present during their recent meeting were Panganiban, PAMPI Vice President Jerome Ong, BAI Director Paul Limson, NMIS Director Clarita Sangcal, Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa, and other key officials of the DA and PAMPI.