March 15, 2012
 

Philippine government inks new mandate on meat imports

The Philippine Department of Agriculture on March 14 has signed a new directive that will with revised guidelines on handling meat imports.

The new order will replace the controversial Administrative Order No. 22, which was opposed by the United States, Canada and local meat processors.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said the new order is expected to be a "win-win solution for everyone." The new order however has yet to be released.

The National Meat Inspection Service, which led the drafting of the replacement order, said the new mandate contained recommendations from US-based meat exporters.

NMIS executive director Jane Bacayo said the revised administrative order included a provision that frozen meat sold in local markets should be kept in temperature not be higher than 5 degrees centigrade.

Apart from setting the product temperature, the new administrative order provides that meat retailers will be allowed to place their products in coolers.

The previous administrative order had prescribed that retail packages be stored in refrigerated facilities and transported in vehicles that are able to maintain temperature not higher than 4 degrees Celsius.

It also compelled all entities and persons selling frozen meat to ensure that their products are accompanied by a "meat and meat product inspection certificate."

US and Canadian meat exporters have raised concerns over the implementation of AO 22 which took effect in 2010. The old version effectively limited the sale of thawed frozen meat in the local markets.

The United States and Canada are two major sources of imported frozen meat products for the Philippines.