More groups want meat imports halted

MANILA, Philippines — More agriculture stakeholders are urging the government to put a temporary halt on the importation of meat products to help local farmers survive.

In a joint statement, eight agriculture organizations appealed to the Department of Agriculture to stop issuing import permits for chicken meat, pork and processed products until the end of the year.

These include the Philippine Association of Feed Millers, Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, Philippine Maize Federation, Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, United Broilers and Raisers Association, National Federation of Hog Farmers, Philippine Eggboard Association and Philippine Veterinary Medical Association.

“Allowing the importation of meat and limiting local production in this critical juncture will cause a stoppage in the operations of some farms. Their production cannot be revived for another 12 to 18 months,” the groups said.

“Helping our local meat producers and raisers, including feed millers and even feed crop planters, dealers, merchants, transporters, workers, and helpers, is the necessary step in mitigating the debilitating impact of coronavirus disease on the agricultural economy,” the groups said.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar, however, clarified that the government was only allowing importation of mechanically deboned meat that could not be produced by local farmers.

Such processed products are imported as manufacturing input of meat processors.

“To give way to meat importation means aggravating the already devastating impact that the stringent lockdown measures have brought upon to the local ecosystem,” the groups said.

Even the hog raisers asked for a similar cessation in importation of other livestock products.

“The stoppage must not only cover poultry products but also other products of the rest of the livestock industry,” the agriculture producers said.

“Government would be able to promote nation rebuilding by allowing local meat production to continuously flourish. As the local industry regains growth, millions of workers and raisers would be provided with jobs and income security. This industry has been historically resilient but it needs an enabling environment to stay strong and capable, and continue providing for the people,” they said.

They have committed to the DA to produce what is needed by Filipino consumers at a fair price to help other businesses survive.