Agri group calls for probe on expired meat imports

MANILA, Philippines - An umbrella organization of agribusinesses yesterday called for an investigation into the possibility that some six million kilograms of expired meat entered the country between January to June.

Citing data obtained from the Bureau of Customs (BOC), the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said the agency allegedly allowed the entry of some 121.6 million kilograms of pork between January and June but data supposedly obtained from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showed that only 116 million kilograms passed through quarantine inspection, “which means 5.6 million kilos are unaccounted for.”

“We’re calling on Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and BOC Commissioner John Philip Sevilla to immediately investigate this matter. Why did the BOC release shipments without quarantine clearance?” said SINAG chair Rosendo So.

SINAG issued the statement amid the agriculture department’s plan to impose restrictions on the entry of imported meat to only a maximum of six months from the date of slaughter.

Alcala recently announced that the DA found several violations by meat importers sourcing from United States, Canada and other countries.

Without naming these traders, Alcala said they have been found to have been diverting expired meat into the country.

“The DA (Department of Agricuture) will allow entry up to a maximum of six months from the period the livestock was slaughtered,” said Alcala. “I strongly believe that we have to protect our people from expired and expiring meat.   This is a concern that should be addressed with a sense of urgency.”

Alcala also announced the creation of a so-called green lane facility in major ports for meat importers who have a good record of compliance with government regulations. Imported meat products that pass through this lane would be subjected to minimal physical inspection.

Meat importers have expressed apprehension over the implementation of this trade restriction saying this would affect local supply and damage trade relations with foreign suppliers.

The Philippines still imports about 30 percent of its meat requirement as local animal raisers cannot satisfy the raw material requirement of processors.

In an interview late Tuesday, Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock Jose Reaño said the DA is still fine-tuning the guidelines for the trade restriction.

He said the system would also help in transparency efforts in agriculture trade.

“We are now determining the products to be covered by the six-month rule. We will still be refining the guidelines to make it globally accepted based on the commodity....I hope it could be implemented within the year so it will really be in place by next year,” said Reaño.