July 3, 2012
Philippine hog raisers laud government for stopping meat smuggling
Hog raisers in the Philippines expressed their gratitude to the Department of Agriculture (DA) for stopping rampant meat smuggling in the country and aborting their plan to declare a "meat holiday."
National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) chairman Daniel Javellana Jr. said had it not for the immediate action of the DA to fight meat smuggling, many of them would be out of business.
Javellana cited Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala's dialogue with the Bureau of Customs officials, led by Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, to thresh out the problem of rampant meat smuggling.
Alcala said they want to give fair play to local producers and if smuggled goods will continue to enter the country without paying taxes, the government and hog farmers will be the losers. Javella lamented that at least 20 percent of backyard hog raisers have shut down their businesses due to smuggling.
