April 23, 2012
 

Philippine government to resolve issues with local hog, poultry sectors

The Department of Agriculture (DA) are set to meet with stakeholders of the hog and poultry industries to iron out certain issues as the groups threatened to hold a weeklong pork and chicken holiday.
 

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said he will be convening with the hog and poultry raisers in two weeks' time to address their concerns.

Hog raisers earlier said they are looking at a week-long pork holiday to protest losses due to smuggling.

Chicken growers have also been reported to have plans of joining the pork holiday through a week-long chicken holiday.

Alcala said contrary to some reports, President Benigno Aquino III did not ignore the hog farmers' invitation to a convention held last week to hear the industry's concerns.

During the 21st annual Hog convention, Alcala said that President Aquino personally asked represent him at the conference to meet with industry leaders and listen to their grievances, and come up with the best solution soon that is beneficial to all. He said despite President Aquino's absence in the event, he has directed the DA and its related agencies to address the concerns of hog farmers and pork producers through implementing policies and providing support to them.

In Mandaue, Alcala called on industry stakeholders to work with the government in order to bring down the costs of production.

He said hog farmers will also need to form partnerships with corn farmers to lessen the cost of animal feeds, as yellow corn is a main ingredient of feeds.

ProPork president Edwin Chen said that no date has been set yet for the week-long pork holiday.

For his part, Rosendo So, spokesperson of the Swine Development Council also said that they have not issued a marching order for the week-long pork holiday yet.

He said hog farmers would want to see what actions the government will be taking to address the issues hurting the industry.

He said that while Alcala has given his commitment to support hog farmers, they would want that to be translated into actions.

He noted that the government has just been making commitments for a year and half and what they've only seen are "promises".

He said that the smuggling of pork, which has been hurting the industry and has already been communicated to the government, requires immediate action.

Smuggling, he said, happens through the declaration of pork choice cuts as offal, which is subject to lower tariff.

Fat offal skin is subject to five percent tariff, while pork choice cuts are slapped with a higher tariff of 35 percent.

So noted that as of March 2012, there are only 7.8 million backyard raisers of hog, from 9.7 million in 2009, as a result of unabated pork smuggling.

So added that the they will stage the pork holiday anytime but he also emphasized that their concerns should be immediately addressed so as not to incur more losses.