January 30, 2014

 

 

In order to heighten the preparations for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic integration by 2015, the country's largest group of meat processing companies has requested the support of the government and the livestock and poultry sectors.

 

Felix Tiukinhoy Jr., the newly re-elected president of the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) said while meat processors can take advantage of the ASEAN integration in 2015, they need the support of the government and the livestock and poultry growers in terms of policies and stable supply of raw materials.

 

"The ASEAN integration presents a great opportunity to expand the market for Philippine processed meat products," Tiukinhoy said during the general membership meeting of PAMPI.

 

He said Philippine meat processors are ready for the ASEAN integration because of their current systems, technologies and good manufacturing processes that are at par with international standards.

 

PAMPI is willing to work with local livestock and poultry growers to produce organic pork and poultry meats of processing-grade quality, Tiukinhoy said.

 

"Livestock and poultry growers should be conscious of residue free meats for processing to qualify their raw materials for export-grade canned products. This may involve working closely together with livestock producers that may want to be accredited suppliers of meat raw materials to PAMPI canneries," he said.

 

Tiukinhoy also said in order to help local growers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) should proceed with the establishment of grade "AAA" abattoirs and related facilities to ensure the steady supply of high-quality raw materials for meat producers and processors.

 

He said modern meat plants are needed to prepare the meat processing industry to enable the domestic sector to compete with neighbouring countries with the onset of the ASEAN economic integration.

 

Livestock growers should have access to "AAA" abattoirs and modern fabrication floors and laboratories as well as refrigerated holding rooms to protect the quality of their meat products, Tiukinhoy said.

 

He said government intervention to provide the proper mechanism and regulatory policies will help the livestock and meat processing industries.

 

Tiukinhoy said meat processors still currently depend on the importation of raw materials to support their production requirements, with total imports of 394,526 tonnes worth PHP40 billion (US$883 million) in 2012. These included 151,084 pork imports, 134,768 chicken meat imports and high volume of beef and buffalo meats.