Mandaue to regulate entry of meat products

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Council has approved on first reading a proposed ordinance regulating the entry of meat and meat products into the city.

The proposed measure of Councilor Jimmy Lumapas will require all establishments selling meat products to secure a veterinary clearance.  Based on the proposal, all meat brokers, meat establishments and meat markets/channels which are engaged in the sale and distribution of meat and meat products within the city shall also have a business permit duly issued by the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).

Prior to the issuance of business permit, a mandatory inspection of the establishment or place of business shall be conducted by an authorized veterinary inspector or meat control officer from the City Veterinary Services Office.

It added that a veterinary clearance shall only be issued by the city veterinarian after a mandatory inspection shall have been duly conducted and upon the recommendation of the designated meat inspector.

The veterinary clearance shall first be obtained by an applicant and it shall be a pre-requisite prior to the issuance of a sanitary permit by the City Health Office. It added that the BPLO is mandated to strictly require the veterinary clearance and the sanitary permit of all applicants, either as meat brokers, meat establishments and meat market/channels before any business permits in their favor shall have been issued or renewed.

“The City of Mandaue is committed to ensure that all meat establishments and meat markets/channels are operated in accordance with hygienic requirements and that meat operators/handlers, slaughter, prepare, process, handle, pack or store or sell meat products properly in accordance with existing laws,” the proposed ordinance states.  FPL (FREEMAN)