RP may soon export meat

The Philippines may soon be exporting its meat products in the global market following an expected approval by the Paris-based Office International de Epizooties of its request for accreditation as foot and mouth disease-free for its 18 island provinces in the Visayas, Masbate and Palawan.

This was reported by Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Q. Montemayor citing a report of Bureau of Animal Industry Director Jose Molina, who pursued the Philippines’ application with Dr. Vallat, director general of the FMD and Other Epizootics Commission of OIE.

Montemayor said if no objections are raised by the 68 member countries of OIE, then the Philippines will be getting a confirmation of its request for FMD- free without vaccination status for Masbate, Palawan and the Visayas by May 2002 or during the International Committee meeting of OIE.

Montemayor said Dr. Molina informed him that the member-countries have been given by Dr. Vallat 60 days to submit their objections, if any, on the Philippines’ application for FMD status and within which to ask for further information from the applicant country.

Montemayor informed President Arroyo of this positive development, which if approved by the OIE International Committee, will enable the Philippines to export and trade its meat products in the world market.

Objections, if any, will have to be based on scientific or technical grounds and provided in writing to the Central Bureau within 60 days accompanied by information substantiating their objections, Dr. Vallat said in a letter to the delegates.

Montemayor said Dr. Vallat has concluded that the Philippine application has fulfilled all conditions to be considered free from FMD without vaccination in accordance with Article 2.1.1.4 of the OIE International Animal Health Code.

If there are no objections, the FMD and Other Epizootics Commission, which Dr. Vallat heads, will submit the recommendation to the International Committee for approval in May meeting.

The FMD and Other Epizootics Commission will take into consideration any objections to the Philippines’ request, Dr. Vallat said.

After this consideration, the Commission will propose a draft Resolution with a list of FMD free countries and zones for acceptance by the International Committee during the 70th General Session (May 2002).

Upon adoption of the Resolution, the status of the Philippines will be published in the OIE Bulletin.

Dr. Vallat told the delegates that a response to his letter on the Philippines request is necessary if "you have an objection to adding the above zone of the Philippines to the list of FMD free countries and zones."