DA urged to adopt science-based screening of meat imports

MANILA, Philippines – The Alliance of Food Processors, Providers and Stakeholders (AFPPS) is urging the Department of Agriculture to adopt a science-based approach in determining the safety of imported meats.

In a letter dated Feb. 13, the AFPPS, which is composed of the Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc. (PAMPI), the Meat Importers and Traders Association, Inc. (MITA) and the Cold Chain Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CCAP), noted with concern the DA’s failure to acknowledge their earlier communication regarding the results of sampling test of imported pork and chicken which showed that the test samples passed the microbiological standards prescribed by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS).

The AFPPS also reported that based on test samples of local pork cuts, nine out of 11 samples showed contamination, although salmonella was absent.

Despite the results, the AFPPS complained that NMIS continue to conduct raids and confiscation of imported meats, while failing to do the same on contaminated local pork.

The AFPPS argued that “the image of imported meats per se is being unfairly and criminally being tarnished, and the minds of our Filipino consumers are being wrongly framed by the actuations of the NMIS.”

The AFPPS is appealing to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala to “look more closely and deeply into this very alarming situation which will collapse the meat industry on the whole.”

In a separate interview with The STAR, MITA president Jesus C. Cham urged Secretary Alcala to “reconsider his position and adopt a science-based administrative order. Otherwise, the Philippines’ standing and credibility will suffer globally. The Philippines will become the laughing stock of the world.”

Cham argued that “the DA is not protecting Filipino consumers when it misleads and misinforms that imported thawed meat is less safe compared to local non-refrigerated meat.”

DA scientist, Cham stressed, “have not presented any scientific findings to support their allegations.”

Cham added that “the position of the US was always clear from the beginning, AO 22 is without scientific basis and discriminatory. It invites retaliation. This fight was started by the Philippines and is not only against the US, but the whole world.”

Furthermore, Cham warned, “now we see the retaliation on rice, as well as the removal of the Philippines from the GSP (General System of Preference).”

Similarly, Cham said, the Philippines’ sugar quota is also at risk.

“The DA should realize that trade is a two-way street. The Philippines cannot stop trade without good reason that other countries can accept. Unfortunately, AO 22 does not have good sound science that can convince our trading partners.”