GMA inks new meat inspection code

President Arroyo signed recently Republic Act 9296 or the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines, which among others institutionalizes the humane handling of animals for meat and gives more teeth to the renamed National Meat Inspection Service (from a commission).

Signed on May 12, RA 9296 also prescribes the penalties for violations to the meat inspection system, which ensure the safety and quality of meat and meat products for humans, including ante mortem and post mortem inspections of slaughtered animals.

The code also mandates the compliance by meat processing establishments to internationally-accepted quality standards for traded meat such as quality assurance program; hygiene and sanitation program; good manufacturing practices; sanitation standard operating procedures; hazard analysis critical control point program and residue control (HACCP) program.

The code also provides for regulatory activities such as registration, licensing, accreditation and enforcement of regulations and supported by laboratory examination.

A Meat Inspection Board under the NMIS is created to assist in the formulation of policies and guidelines and advise the chairman on all matters pertaining to meat inspection and meat hygiene. The board is composed of Agriculture Secretary Luis Lorenzo Jr. as chairman with members including the Executive Director of NMIS; Bureau of Animal Industry; Bureau of Food and Drugs; Bureau of Local Government Development; the director of the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards; and a representative from the consumer organization duly recommended by the National Consumer Affairs Council.

The NMIS is tasked with formulating, issuing and implementing jointly with the local government units national policies, guidelines, rules and regulations on the safety and quality standards for meat and meat products; ensuring pure, wholesome and safe supply of meat and meat products; accrediting establishments, facilities, conveyances and service providers with HACCP audit; licensing meat inspectors and licensing, registration and certification of meat handlers and meat brokers and meat products.

The NMIS likewise implements standards prescribed by the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Products Standards (BAFPS) on labeling, advertising and promotion of meat and meat products.

Eventually, the NMIS should recommend measures to professionalize the meat inspection service to the Professional Regulations Commission.