May 3, 2010

Philippine hog farmers to up output on FMD-free status

Pork producers are increasing their output by 5% to 1.96 million tonnes this year, encouraged by reports that the International Animal Health Association (IAHA) would soon certify the Philippines as free from foot and mouth disease (FMD).

"The private sector is working hard for that. We are cooperating with the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meal Inspection Services for the certificate while we improve production so we can start exporting pork," said Zosimo de Leon, chair of the National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc.

Federation members realised the immense opportunity the FMD-free certification would have on the industry once the Philippines is certified, De Leon said.

"The FMD incidents in Japan, Korea and Taiwan will certainly boost our chance to export pork to those countries," said Charles L. Ong, the federation's executive committee member for Luzon.

After five years of zero FMD incidence the industry is pretty sure that the country would get the IAHA certificate next August. An FMD-free certificate would increase the confidence of importers in the quality and safety of Philippine pork products.

Since 1996, the government has so far spent around PHP500 million for its FMD-eradication programme. Visayas and Mindanao have long been declared by the OIE as FMD-free.

The government has refused to release details of a plan to directly import some 5,000 tonnes of pork, on top of the 1,500 tonnes that was open for bidding by the private sector last month. The importation, the government alleged, would cover a possible shortfall of 5,000-6,000 tonnes this year.

Stakeholders have asked the government to cancel the importation, as the industry will not enter the low demand season from May to July.

The influx of imported pork could shut down a number of backyard hog raisers, the federation said last week warning the government about its negative impact on the industry.