Magsaysay pushes measure on meat inspection system

Sen. Ramon Magsaysay Jr. is pushing for the immediate enactment of a law that will strengthen the meat inspection system to assure safety and quality of meat and meat products for human consumption both in the domestic and international markets.

Magsaysay, chairman of the Senate committee on agriculture and food, sponsored Senate Bill No. 2691, entitled: An Act Strengthening the Meat Inspection System in the Country, Ordaining for this Purpose, a "Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines."

SB 2691, according to the senator, is a maiden legislation, which aims to strengthen the existing meat inspection system enforced by the National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC) of the Department of Agriculture.

"We in the Senate committee on agriculture and food, jointly with the committee on local government strongly believe that this maiden proposal could make a marked difference in the improvement of the meat inspection system in the country," Magsaysay said.

He stressed that this would harmonize Philippine regulations with international standards and procedures. He added that this would also address the requirements of other countries to allow our country to gain equivalency in the system of meat hygiene, inspection and regulations.

"Eventually, this would translate to the credibility of the Philippines as a country that produces export-quality meat and poultry products," Magsaysay added.

He pointed out that meat inspection is an important function in the animal health program of any country saying that it is during meat inspection that harmful diseases are detected.

"Meat inspection prevents unsafe meat and meat products to penetrate the local and international markets because of thorough checks made during the various stages of distribution and marketing," Magsaysay explained.

The proposed measure will provide a basis for a system that is compatible with foreign inspection system which would make locally produced meat acceptable in the export market.

"It is not enough that there is adequate supply of meat at affordable prices to meet the increasing demand in consumption. Foremost is the consideration that meat and meat products made available to the public are safe and fit for human consumption, and in accordance with the quality standards," Magsaysay said.