Published May 7, 2021, 4:10 PM
The Department of Agriculture (DA) will increase monitoring of pork imports coming into the country to prevent the entry of new African Swine Fever (ASF) variants that have started to cause problems in the hog sector of China, the world’s largest pork-producing country.
In a text exchange, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said there is a “need double our efforts for our monitoring and surveillance much more on smuggled pork and pork products”.
“We have strengthened our first border inspection and we will increase our monitoring and surveillance system,” he added.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar (MANILA BULLETIN)
Published May 5, 2021, 10:54 AM
Despite a 12-month tariff cut imposed on pork, a group of local meat importers began lobbying for a much longer period wherein the pork import tariff rate is kept at 15 percent from the original 40 percent until 2025.
A customer pays for pork at a roadside market stall in Mandaluyong City, Manila, the Philippines. (Bloomberg file)
In a letter to Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) President Jesus Cham said the compromise pork import tariff rate of 15 percent is “reasonable” but it should “be incorporated into the upcoming tariff schedule and remain in effect until end-2025.”
BusinessWorld
May 5, 2021 | 7:36 pm
REUTERS
THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) said the flow of agricultural produce to Metro Manila will continue even with hog raisers threatening to declare a so-called âfood holidayâ to protest inadequate government help in addressing the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak and plans to import more pork.
Agriculture Spokesman Noel O. Reyes said farmers and fisherfolk will continue to produce food and asked those planning to declare a food holiday to abandon the idea.
âWe should help each other during this time, especially with the pandemic. We are hoping that it will not push through,â Mr. Reyes said in a radio interview Wednesday.
In a text exchange, Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc. (ProPork) President Edwin Chen said the Philippine government is not capable to prevent new ASF variants that were recently detected in China, which could cause more harm to the already severely battered local hog industry.
“Time and time again we saw Yorme [Mayor Isko Moreno] apprehending smuggled meats in Manila. These meats can come from China and we know China has an ongoing outbreak of ASF variant strains,” Chen said.
A customer pays for pork at a roadside market stall in Mandaluyong City, Manila, the Philippines. (Bloomberg file)
“Our government, sad to say, has been lax or is not capable of guarding our borders against diseases or pests from coming in,” he added.
Published May 3, 2021, 3:49 PM
Hog raisers and agriculture stakeholders have thrown their support for the adoption of House Joint Resolution No. 37 calling for the termination of Executive Order No. 128 issued by President Duterte to temkporarily reduce import tariffs on pork.
At least 15 House members have signed HJR 37 but authors representing the Makabayan bloc expect more congressmen to support its adoption.
Hog raisers and agriculture stakeholders issued a statement on the issue which they submitted to the Lower House and the Senate.
In the statement, they urged legislators to “repeal EO 128” and recall the move to increase by 350,000 metric tons the Minimum Access Volume on pork.