September 2020, Southeast Asia
Several industry groups backed the Department of Agriculture’s decision to prohibit the entry of chicken imports from Brazil and called for a temporary ban on all imported chicken.
“It is imperative that we prioritize the health needs of the population where infections continue to increase and the fear of getting infected haunt them every day. We jointly support the action of the Department of Agriculture to temporarily ban the importation of chicken from Brazil,” the industry groups said in a statement.
“Though we appreciate this move by the Agriculture department as an effective preventive measure to ensure the safety of the Filipino people and the other nationals who reside in our country, we as an industry urge the government to have a more aggressive stand and move for the temporary banning of all imported chicken until the world is able to cross this pandemic,” the groups said.
Among the signatories in the petition were the Philippine Association of Feed Millers Inc., United Broilers Raiser Association, Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc., Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines Inc., National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc., Bounty Group of Companies, The Philippine Eggboard Association Inc., Philippine Veterinary Medical Association, Philippine Maize Federation Inc., Local Poultry Integrator, Philippine College of Swine Practitioners, White Angel Farm Barauen Leyte, Growers of Chicken Essentials and Broiler Poultry Group. Other petitioners are Chicken Essentials Ph Inc., Pura Agri-Ventures and Development Corp., Morales Poultry Farm, Romarcom International Marketing Corp., Paritas Trading Corp., Asia Pacific Chartering Phil. Inc., Grainman Marine Transport Inc., Philippine Veterinary Drug Association, Philippine College of Poultry Practitioners, Araco Poultry and Livestock Corp., Jairah Poultry Farm Bacolod City, Chicken Oro Inc. Bacolod City and Association of Accredited BAI Registered Laboratories Inc.
The industry groups issued the statement after the Department of Trade and Industry asked the DA to lift the ban on mechanically deboned meat from Brazil in anticipation of possible price hikes and shortage of canned meat products in the country. “We support the position of meat processors. There is no scientific basis that MDM from Brazil are infected by the COVID-19 virus,” Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said Monday.
The DTI said with only less than a month inventory of the raw material, a disruption in the supply of basic canned meat products with manufacturers would eventually lead to higher retail prices.
The DA said, however, that the temporary ban on Brazilian poultry imports should stay until the Brazilian government presented documents that would attest to the health soundness of factory workers.
The DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry said it was awaiting the report from Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply particularly on matters related to COVID-19 prevention and control procedures among Brazilian factory workers in chicken processing facilities.
The BAI cited the rising number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in Brazil that included workers in meat processing facilities. BAI director Ronnie Domingo communicated the Philippines commitment to resolving the issue with Brazil MAPA chief veterinary officer Dr. Geraldo Marcos de Moraes.
Domingo said the ban on Brazilian chicken products was issued as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and health of Filipino consumers. “The Philippines greatly values its long-standing harmonious relations with Brazil. We look forward to your prompt response,” Domingo said.
