February 4, 2011

Philippine agriculture department drafting Halal food standards

The Philippine Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday (Feb 3) that it was finalising the Halal food standards meant to boost the competitiveness of Philippine agriculture and fisheries products in the Halal world market currently estimated at US$2.3 trillion.

Agriculture Secretary, Proceso Alcala, said that entering the huge, lucrative Halal market would considerably contribute in increasing Philippine food exports and subsequently revitalize agri-fishery agribusiness enterprises. It will greatly benefit Filipino farmers and fishermen.

"This will pave the way to the establishment of more world-class Halal food production and processing enterprises that will create needed employment opportunities to thousands of our countrymen," Alcala said.

"I have instructed the DA's Halal Food Industry Development Committee (HFIDC), chaired by BFAR 12 regional director, Sani D. Macabalang, to undertake a series of consultations with stakeholders nationwide so they could share in refining the proposed draft standards," he said.

The first consultation was held on January 24, 2011, at the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), where the HFIDC presented to Halal industry stakeholders three draft standards: Halal Agriculture and Fishery Products, Code of Halal Slaughtering Practices for Poultry, and the Code of Halal Slaughtering Practices for Large Ruminants.

It was attended by about 50 Muslim scholars from Metro Manila and suburbs, and officials and representatives from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), partner agencies, and the private sector.