Government urged to review policies on PAP imports

MANILA, Philippines — Aquafeed producers are urging the government to review its existing policies on the importation of processed animal protein (PAP), particularly the ban on imports from Italy, saying this raw material is vital in sustaining production in the aquaculture industry.

In a press briefing by Tugon Kabuhayan yesterday, Feedmix Specialist II vice president for Corporate Planning Norberto Chingcuanco said the aquafeed industry needs help sourcing raw materials, specifically PAPs.

“Fishmeal used to be the main source of protein for aquafeeds. However, aquaculture is now producing more fish than fish being caught in the wild. It is mathematically impossible to provide enough fishmeal for the aquaculture industry. There is simply not enough fish being caught,”Chingcuanco said.

Industry data showed that local aquafeeds manufacturers produce around 1.6 million metric tons (MT) annually of feeds for the aquaculture industry, which account for 800,000 MT of fish.

“By-products from commercial fishing turned into fishmeal comprise a small portion of needed protein source for aquaculture. Aquaculture is dependent on PAP to maintain its needed contribution to food production. It’s not about PAP being cheaper or better. It’s about not having any other alternatives to provide the needed supply,” Chingcuanco said.

The Department of Agriculture (DAO) earlier imposed an import ban on PAP from Italy after a wild boar in the country reportedly tested positive for African swine fever (ASF).

Oversea Feeds vice president for Marketing Chris Co said PAP is a protein source which is a good value for money.

“PAP is a vital ingredient in aquafeed, serving the bulk of its protein requirement. Tilapia, bangus, shrimps require a high protein diet compared to hogs and poultry, which only require low protein in their feeds. One good source of protein, aside from fishmeal, is PAP,” Co said.

“Fishmeal price is increasing and there is not enough of it to go around. The same is true now for PAP. Other nations are now clamoring to procure PAP due to the reduced supply. We now have limited options available to us. Without PAP, we are having problems formulating our feeds that require a high protein requirement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Santeh Feeds general manager Jun Samaniego said PAP is already an alternative to fishmeal, adding that the aquafeed industry is running out of protein sources.

“When the pandemic hit, the feeds industry was the first one allowed to operate immediately. The government recognized how important the feed millers are in providing food for our country. Nowadays, it is very hard for feed millers to conduct business, with the constant rising costs and shortage of raw materials,” Samaniego said.