March 1, 2022

The Philippines urged to release permits for poultry imports

The Philippines' Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) has urged the country's Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to release sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import clearances for poultry imported from the US and Canada as delays will result in supply issues and increased chicken prices, The Philippine Star reported.

Sherwin Choi MITA vice president said in a letter to Reildrin Morales, BAI director, that MITA members have been waiting three weeks when it should only require two to three days to obtain a permit.

Choi said chicken leg quarters in the Philippines have increased by PHP 10 (~US$0.19, PHP 1 = US$0.019) per kg at wholesale markets.

MITA said it understands that the delays may have been caused by bird flu detected in the US and Canada, but emphasised that both countries have implemented measures that are consistent with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)'s Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

MITA also said delay in obtaining SPS permits could be taken as an non-tariff trade barrier and possibly used to lodge a complaint with the World Trade Organisation.

Choi urged the BAI to abide by OIE guidelines and process and release permits for imported poultry from the US and Canada that are sourced from areas not affected by bird flu.

MITA also asked the government not to implement an import ban on poultry from the US and Canada, citing the Philippines' meat industry's reliance on mechanically deboned chicken.

-      The Philippine Star