‘Imports of feed inputs to hurt hog industry’

MANILA, Philippines — Lifting the import ban on processed animal proteins used for feeds could spell disaster for the still fragile and recovering hog industry, according to agriculture groups.

In a position paper sent to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the groups said they are against re-allowing the importation of porcine processed animal protein, which is a by-product of pig slaughterhouses.

The import of processed animal proteins was effectively suspended when the DA imposed a pork import ban on many countries due to the African swine fever (ASF).

Earlier this week, aquaculture stakeholders asked the DA to lift the ban to ensure that fish prices remain affordable amid rising costs of other commodities.

But groups led by the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. and Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc. said heeding such requests will just expose the fragile and recovering swine industry to further threats from contaminated raw materials.

“We support the efforts of the aquaculture sector to reduce their feed and production costs, but not at the cost of annihilating another,” the groups said.

“The whole local agriculture is impacted by the rising cost of production, brought about by unprecedented fuel price increases and ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, among others,” they said.

The groups argued that the aquaculture sector has alternative sources of ingredients like poultry meal and fermented soya to explore, which will not in any way result in its decline.

The stakeholders said the issue is not about which industry is more economically important or contributes more, but is about forming policies and directions that do not threaten other industries.

“The swine industry has suffered enormous losses of income and livelihood the past three years, further aggravated by the pandemic. The swine industry is trying to recover with difficulty,” they said.

Other signatories of the position paper are the Accredited Swine Breeders Association of the Philippines, United Broiler Raisers Association, New Alliance of Rabbit Breeders Association,  Philippine College of Swine Practitioners, and Philippine Veterinary Drug Association.

Also included are the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association, Association of BAI-Registered Companies and Recognized Testing Laboratories Inc., Philippine Society of Animal Nutritionists, Philippine Swine Foundation Inc., and Philippine Maize Federation Inc.