Livestock leaders meet on road map

In a dialogue with livestock industry leaders, Agriculture Secretary Luis P. Lorenzo Jr. expressed optimism that the target growth for the next 12 months could be achieved.

A 10-percent increase has been foreseen, with specific initiatives undertaken. In the midst of some critical issues on livestock, some good things have been happening such as quarantine and the foot-and-mouth (FMD) eradication campaign. The programs mounted for these concerns should have greater visibilities and impact, Lorenzo said.

Representing the livestock sector were: Gregorio San Diego (National Egg Producers of the Philippines), Tommy Loanzon (Philippine Association of Broiler Integrators), Francis Wong (National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc.), Billy Badilla and Jesus Sacdalan (Federation of Cattle Raisers Association of the Philippines), Martin Gomez (Cattle Feedlot Association of the Philippines and Federation of Cattle Raisers Association of the Philippines), Randy Favis (Masbate Brahman Breeder Foundation) and George Nava (Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc.).

Meeting them in the dialogue were: Dr. Jose Q. Molina (Bureau of Animal Industry), Dr. Efren Nuestro (National Meat Inspection Commission) and Dr. Ben Albarece (Office of the Agriculture Secretary)

Also in the discussion of problems and opportunities were Dr. Pedro Ocampo, director of Livestock Development Council and his staff, Felix Valenzuela, Consuelo Mangubat, Dr. Freido Prado, Susan Foronda, Marrieta Tibayan and Vienna Beltran.

Francis Wong reported that the hog industry is finalizing the implementation mechanism of its master plan. They are creating a technical working group for the road map. Lorenzo expressed interest on how the hog sector could be united. One step, according to Wong, is through the NAFC Committee on Poultry and Livestock.

On the matter of the cattle industry, Martin Gomez said the Administrative Order on agrarian reform lands for pasture is not yet resolved. With respect to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the pasture rates have been brought back in 2002. However, there is still the issue of 2000-2001 higher rates. In some areas of the country, the charge is still P200 per hectare.

The cattle industry, he said, is cooperating with the NDA to crossbreed their Brahman stocks for the dairy crosses as a side business for their sector. The industry would like to have a share of the fees from cattle registration for the improvement of the sector.

The industry is most concerned with the low price of beef due to proliferation of imported cuts in the wet markets. They are also worried about carabeef coming from India because of the FMD risk.

On the layer industry, San Diego said importation affected the layer industry as it did the broiler sector last year. The broiler industry is now in the surplus mode.

The effect of increased imported powdered and frozen eggs has dampened the domestic market. For instance, three years ago, Kraft used 100,000 local eggs but now it is using 100-percent powdered eggs. CMC Ladies’ Choice was using 100,000 local eggs one-and-a-half years ago but is now utilizing only 20,000 local eggs.

The reason is that the price of local eggs is relatively higher than the price in other countries. Also, the industry needs processing plants for forward integration and value addition (like in powdered egg)

On the importation of layer stocks Dr. Molina explained that based on the inventory of layer stocks current level is 107 percent of last year’s. At the Price and Volume Watch Meeting, there was an agreement among the egg industry stakeholders to maintain the stocks last year and only the replacement be allowed to come in.

The National Egg Board is encouraging its local chapters to engage in corn production. One of the biggest problems of the industry is feeds.

For the feed mill industry, Nava reported two issues. One is reduction of corn tariff from 35 to 20 percent

The other is the implementation of Administrative Order No. 8 on GMO (genetically modified organism) which provides that in imported grains for feeds, the supplier must declare whether or not they are GMO products. Nava is asking for a one-year moratorium on the implementation that will take effect on July 1, 2003.

Lorenzo asked the livestock leaders for clear implementable measures that should be done in each livestock sector. He said the DA has a meager budget and the private sector, therefore, has to take the lead. Policy changes or adjustments where and when needed should be given the utmost attention and consideration.

The private sector is in the best position to direct the DA where to deliver or what to focus on with the little money available for what industry leaders think are important. Lorenzo expressed hope that they ccould show specific measurable targets and accountable individuals within their organizations.

He expressed willingness to work with the sector in looking at a common good and initiatives to be undertaken for each of the commodities. He said he could not promise what he could not deliver.