Hog producers reject OIE rule on carabeef imports from India

Hog producers have rejected the Office Internationale des Epizooties’ (OIE) ruling that it is safe for the Philippines to import buffalo meat from countries like India which has not been declared as free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Twice thwarted by the OIE in its attempt to get a categorical opinion stating that Indian buffalo meat or carabeef is not safe to bring into the country, the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) ignored the opinion stated by David Wilson, OIE head of trade department, and said the world animal health agency cannot dictate the safety standards of any country, regardless of whether they are a member of the OIE.

Wilson recently corraborated a previous opinion issued by OIE director general Dr. Bernard Vallat on the issue of importation of buffalo meat from an FMD-infected country.

"The OIE’s position is that the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code (the Code) serves to assure the sanitary safety of international trade in terrestrial animals and their products. This is achieved through detailed health measures to be used by the veterinary authorities of importing and exporting countries to avoid the transfer of agents pathogenic for animals or humans, while avoiding unjustified sanitary barriers," Wilson said in answer to queries made by Albert T. Lim, president of the NFHFI.

Lim’s group wrote Wilson asking for clarification. The NFHFI has been opposing the importation of carabeef by the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI), blaming the increasing imports for declining sales of local pork.

NFHFI is lobbying to have the Senate pass a bill that bans importation of carabeef from countries not yet declared safe from FMD.

Lim said that based on NFHFI’s interpretation, the OIE cannot decide for any of its member countries in matters of meat importation.

"The OIE cannot, has not, and will not rule for or against importation of carabao meat by the Philippines. Only the Philippine government or appropriate government agency can make such a decision," said Lim.

Lim cited Wilson’s letter which states: "OIE develops animal health standards that member countries can use to protect themselves from disease incursions. However, OIE standards are not mandatory for member countries and a country has a right under WTO rules, to establish its own standards on the basis of the knowledge gained from a risk analysis. In other words, member countries are responsible for developing and implementing their own import standards for animal health, taking into account the Code."

The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said however, that while any country could and should devise their own safety standards, a member should also abide by the advisories issued by OIE regarding the safety of animals for consumption with regards to human health.

Carabeef which is cheaper than local pork, is being used as raw material by PAMPI members that include Del Monte Phils. Inc., Purefoods-Hormel Co., Swift Foods Inc., SMC Foods Inc., and Foodshpere Inc. to manufacture hotdgos, sausages, corned beef and other processed meat.

Carabeef from India is priced at about $1.15 per kilo compared to about $1.75 from the US and Brazil.