DA unit steps up meat inspection effort

The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) is stepping up its inspection of public markets and slaughterhouses, as well as post-abbatoir operations, to prevent double-dead pork and chicken meat from reaching the consumers.

Officer-in-charge Jane Bacayo, said the NMIS is strengthening its partnership with local government units (LGUs) for more effective regulation of the meat industry.

The NMIS and LGUs will keep a close watch on the country’s meat processing plants and public markets along with 426 accredited slaughterhouses and more than 1,000 unaccredited slaughterhouses nationwide.

The NMIS is upgrading its laboratory and conducting seminars on food safety.

Bacayo recently reported to Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap that the NMIS has been conducting post-abbatoir operations in cooperation with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police.

As a result of those inspections, Bacayo said, the NMIS confiscated nine metric tons (MT) of “hot” or double-dead meat in several markets in Metro Manila.

The NMIS, for the period January to August this year, has filed criminal cases against 10 people found selling double-dead pork and chicken.

While the Bureau of Animal Industry has jurisdiction over animals transported from farms to slaughterhouses, it is the NMIS that oversees all industry-related activities from slaughterhouses to the markets.

The NMIS, Bacayo said, has the mandate to confiscate all meat and meat products that have not passed the standards set by the agency.

Bacayo said “hot” meat is “most prevalent from August to December, when the changes in the weather make animals and poultry less resistant and more susceptible to diseases.”

Given NMIS’ limited personnel, Bacayo said the agency is working with LGUs to ensure effective regulation of the meat industry.

 “We must coordinate with the LGUs, and try to convince them that the obligation to provide clean, safe and wholesome meat to their constituents is their primary obligation, and that we, in the National Government, could only provide guidance and assistance,” Bacayo said. –Marianne Go