May 8, 2012
Philippine poultry raisers protest on unabated smuggling
Poultry raisers in the Philippines have decried the seemingly uncontrolled meat smuggling in the country, saying the government's "inaction" is to blame for the continued importation which has already affected the industry.
The United Broiler Raisers Association (Ubra) said that after two years under President Benigno Aquino's administration, imported and smuggled chicken products still find their way to some supermarkets.
UBRA National President Gregorio San Diego claims that some chicken smugglers use free port zones in Pampanga and Zambales to sneak in choice chicken cuts such as thigh, breast and legs.
He added that some of the smuggled choice chicken cuts are being delivered and sold by a large supermarket chain at much lower prices compared to local chicken.
Last year, UBRA said its members lost an estimated PHP10 billion (US$236.85 million) in business opportunities due to the rampant importation and smuggling of chicken.
Earlier, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Finance, the Bureau of Customs and other concerned government agencies have started implementing measures to eradicate the reported technical smuggling of chicken
However, San Diego expressed doubts whether this newly formed inter-agency task force will be able to eradicate technical smuggling in the country.
San Diego said his group will just "wait and see" if task force members will deliver positive results.
