August 12, 2004

 

 

Philippine Hog Raisers To Close Farms

 

Swine producers and hog raisers throughout Philippines are to shut down all their farms in twelve months in the face of alleged indifference of the government to their plight.

 

Instead, they will join the foreign and local investors in the importation of dressed and processed pork meat.

 

"We are raising the white flag. This doesn't mean, however, that our consumers will miss their favorite pork delicacy," the South Cotabato Swine Producers Association (Socospa) said.

 

Socospa president James Chua however warned that the apparent reluctance of the government to stop importation of meat would affect the livelihood of more than 250,000 workers directly dependent on the livestock industry.

 

The hog raisers asked the government to "put in place shock absorbers to reduce the effects" of the massive retrenchment in livestock industry.

 

In addition, the phasing out of livestock farm could have serious implications in the country's agricultural production.

 

Corn and copra producers including fishmeal millers would also be affected by the move of hog raisers to shut down their farms.

 

In General Santos City, which supplies 30 percent of the hog requirement of Metro Manila, the death of the P1.2 billion hog industry could have serious implications in the local economy.

 

General Santos City ships 20,000 heads of hogs to Manila every month, and corn farmers in the Socsksargen area are dependent on these hog farms as market of their produce.

 

Chua said they have no other choice but give up their businesses.

 

"We have been losing money since Arroyo allowed the massive importation of pork and other meats for processing," Chua revealed on Tuesday.

 

Chua explained that they could no longer continue to produce swine and hogs without passing the burden to the consumers.

 

Many hog raisers have reportedly began exploring joint ventures with foreign investors who are poised to invade the local meat market.

 

"Hog raisers will now advocate for the lowering of tariffs to zero once the pig farms are gone," Chua added.

 

Industry sources said government officials close to Malacanang are pushing for the entry of foreign investors in the lucrative meat industry.

 

The country reportedly will be importing $1.2 billion worth of dressed meat if all the pig farms are phased out within the year.