Nationwide implementation of anti-"tingal" suggested

The National Meat Inspection Commission wants to implement a nationwide ban on oral forced drenching, locally known as "tingal", usually done to animals before they are slaughtered, after noting a successful implementation in Cebu City.

Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban said he has learned that there is rampant and widespread practice of forced oral drenching of cattle, carabaos and other animals before they are slaughtered to purposely enhance weight, resulting to increased profit.

Panganiban has suggested that the practice of drenching of food animals or forcibly introducing any liquid or water through the mouth or any other substances into its body for purposes of increasing its weight or to make it appear heavier prior to sale or slaughter shall be stopped and the persons who did it shall be arrested.

The suggestion came after realizing that though Administrative Order No. 6 issued in 1975 provides that the proper handling of animals prior to slaughter should be strictly observed to prevent adverse effect on quality of meat, it was found out that it reportedly did not clearly prohibit the act of forced oral drenching on food animals.

NMIC-7 regional technical director Romeo Capa said a provision of the meat inspection code considers food as adulterated if any substance has been added thereto or packed therewith so as to increase its bulk or weight, reduce its quality or to make it appear better or of greater value than it is.

Some meat inspectors described the forced oral drenching of water to food animals as a kind of maltreatment that is punishable to an imprisonment of up to two years and fine of P5,000 if convicted of violation to the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act.

City veterinarian Alice Utlang said the forced drenching of food animals in the city's slaughterhouse at the North Reclamation Area is now strictly banned. She even stopped the slaughtering of three carabaos that died of forced oral drenching. - Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV