Meat importers ask for local meat testing

CEBU, Philippines - As authorities focus on meat importers, the Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) asks for investigation on the manner of transporting locally produced meat to the wet markets.

In a position paper sent to the Department of Agriculture (DA), the importers demand for the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) conduct microbiological testing on the fresh meat found in the wet markets.

Lawyer Eduardo Gaanan, counsel for MITA, said that the order against meat importers was “very discriminating” and that there is no equal application of the ruling.

“Kung gaano sila kahigpit sa imported meat, sana ganun din sila sa locally-produced,” Gaanan told The FREEMAN.

They are asking for a comparative presentation of handling between locally and imported meat.

“Let’s not just focus on one side. Hindi rin naman naka-store sa refrigerator van ang local eh. Is it not in higher risk of bacteria contamination than imported meat?” Gaanan asked.

Gaanan also advised the local pork producers not to rely on commercial feeds because that makes their expenses, and prices, higher.

MITA insists that the implementation should be done simultaneously for both fresh and frozen meat to raise the food safety standard of the consumers.

But Dr. Alvin Leal of the NMIS 7 said that the agency shall stop the implementation of the order regulating meat imports only if DA says so.

He also described locally produced meat as “fresh” pork products.

“When it comes to the selling of local meat, ang status ana kay fresh man. So dili na kinahanglan og storage facility,” Leal said.

He said that frozen products need freezers or proper storage facility to maintain their frozen state.

The provincial veterinarian, meanwhile, admits that it’s not only Metro Cebu that is confronted with improper handling of frozen products but also the other parts of the province.

Dr. Mary Rose Vincoy disclosed of reported cases in Toledo, Naga, Minglanilla and Danao about improper handling of meat products.

“Although it is just minimal, we will still strictly implement the order,” Vincoy said.

She added that their next step is to call all the city veterinarians to implement the order. They will also conduct a general assembly with officers of the NMIS and agricultural technicians on Tuesday to discuss the strict compliance of the order.

Furthermore, they will also coordinate with officers of the Cebu Provincial Police Office and Police Regional Office for supervising the implementation.

Meanwhile in Talisay City, Mayor Socrates Fernandez requested for the extension of service of Dr. Santiago Hortel as acting veterinarian after the death of Talisay City veterinarian Galileo Larawan.

Hortel expressed his willingness to serve. (FREEMAN)