July 10, 2009

The ban on genetically modified products in Negros Occidental, Philippines, has caused prices of feeds to rise and compelled hog and poultry raisers in the province to put their expansion plans on hold.

 

Leaders of hog and poultry associations here said they now pay about PHP2 more for each kilogramme of corn they source from Iloilo, after they have stopped buying genetically modified organism (GMO) corn, which has been banned in the province.

 

Hog raisers in the province use 900,000 kg or nine tonnes of feeds daily and send 2,500 heads of hogs to Cebu every month.

 

Provincial agriculturist Igmedio Tabanian said the provincial government needs PHP16 million to fully enforce the GMO ban, while the Provincial Veterinary Office has proposed a PHP213-million implementation programme that includes the establishment of a GMO laboratory.

 

Provincial veterinarian Renante Decena has proposed the use of polymerase chain reaction Technology which can detect the presence of genetically modified materials at very low levels.

 

Rosendo de la Rama, who heads the 26-member-association backyard raisers alliance, said the GMO ban seems to contradict the provincial government's support for their 1,700 members which is supposed to include genetic enhancement, feeds, and dispersal programs. The feeds distributed to the hog raisers consist of GMO corn, he said.

 

Negros Occidental Hog Raisers Association president Albert Lim said the GMO ban could also jeopardise the hog industry's goal of drawing investors to the Visayas and Mindanao because the farms in Luzon are already overcrowded.

 

Last week, the provincial board approved a review of the GMO ban, but pending the evaluation, the ordinance will remain in effect.

             

US$1 = PHP48.186 (July 10)