Department of Agriculture cracks down on illegal imports of chicken parts

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Agriculture (DA) will crack down on the illegal importation of premium or choice chicken parts and exotic delicacies such as Peking duck and century eggs.

This was assured over the weekend by Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap following complaints from the poultry and egg sectors.

In a brief interview with The STAR, Yap said that he is coordinating with the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to crackdown on the continued entry of premium chicken parts and exotics delicacies such as Peking duck and century eggs.

Gregorio San Diego, president of the United Broilers and Raisers Association, has been complaining to the DA about the rampant smuggling of imported choice chicken parts, Peking duck and century eggs.

San Diego pointed out that Peking duck and century eggs are readily available in local Chinese restaurants.

And yet, San Diego revealed, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) has never issued import permits for Peking duck or century eggs.

Chicken imports, San Diego said, continues to increase annually despite efforts of the local poultry sector to be self-sufficient.

According to San Diego, chicken imports in 2005 were recorded at 27.96 million kilos.

The following year, 2006, chicken imports increased to 32.68 million kilos.

In 2007, the volume of chicken imports rose further to 42.07 million kilos, and as of November 2008, that volume was already at 40.55 million kilos.

San Diego warned that if the DA does not shield the local poultry and egg sector from continued smuggling and importation of chicken, and does not support it in terms of lowering the cost of production, most chicken growers would just opt to become traders and import the chicken themselves.