Alcala to meet hog, poultry raisers

MANILA, Philippines - Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala is set to meet with hog and poultry industry leaders to discuss issues affecting the industry, amid threats of a week-long pork and chicken holiday.

In a statement over the weekend, Alcala said he will be convening with the hog and poultry raisers in two weeks’ time to address their concerns.

Hog raisers have been reported that they are looking at a week-long pork holiday to protest losses due to smuggling.

Chicken growers have also been reported to have plans of joining the pork holiday through a week-long chicken holiday.

Alcala said contrary to some reports, President Aquino did not ignore the hog farmers’ invitation to a convention held last week to hear the industry’s concerns.

“President Aquino personally asked me to represent him to the 21st annual convention of the National Federation of Hog (Farmers), Inc. and Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc. (ProPork) held at the Cebu International Convention Center... in Mandaue City, to meet with the stakeholders, listen to their grievances, and come up with the best solution soon that is beneficial to all,” he said.

He said despite President Aquino’s absence in the event, he has directed the Department of Agriculture and agencies under it to address the concerns of hog farmers and pork producers through implementing policies and providing support to them.

In Mandaue, Alcala called on industry stakeholders to work with the government in order to bring down the costs of production.

“The government is here to help you but you must give us the data to work with,” he said.

He said hog farmers will also need to form partnerships with corn farmers to lessen the cost of animal feeds, as yellow corn is a main ingredient of feeds.

ProPork president Edwin Chen said in text message yesterday that no date has been set yet for the week-long pork holiday.

For his part, Rosendo So, spokesperson of the Swine Development Council, said in a telephone interview yesterday that they have not issued a marching order for the week-long pork holiday yet.

He said hog farmers would want to see what actions the government will be taking to address the issues hurting the industry.

He said that while Alcala has given his commitment to support hog farmers, they would want that to be translated into actions.

“They have been making commitments for one and a half years and all we’ve seen are promises,” he noted.

He said that the smuggling of pork, which has been hurting the industry and has already been communicated to the government, requires immediate action.

Smuggling, he said, happens through the declaration of pork choice cuts as offal, which is subject to lower tariff.

Fat offal skin is subject to five percent tariff, while pork choice cuts are slapped with a higher tariff of 35 percent.

So noted that as of March 2012, there are only 7.8 million backyard raisers of hog, from 9.7 million in 2009, as a result of unabated pork smuggling.

“Anytime, we can stage the pork holiday. We don’t want to incur more losses,” he said.

He said the industry is hopeful that the industry’s concerns will be immediately addressed.