March 26, 2024
Philippines senator urges government support to lower meat prices
Senator Cynthia A Villar has called for increased government assistance to the local livestock and poultry subsectors to make meat products more affordable, BusinessMirror reported.
Highlighting the correlation between high meat prices and potential protein deficiency leading to malnutrition, Senator Villar underscored the importance of affordable meat products in maintaining balanced nutrient intake, particularly for students.
Addressing challenges faced by the Philippine livestock and poultry subsectors, Senator Villar pointed out the significant impact of disease outbreaks, such as African swine fever (ASF), on the swine industry, resulting in a substantial increase in pork prices.
She emphasised the essential role of pork and chicken in the Filipino diet, constituting a significant portion of protein consumption, which is projected to increase further by 2030.
Despite their significance, Senator Villar noted that the livestock, poultry, and dairy sectors receive relatively lower development assistance from the government compared to other agricultural commodities.
To address these issues, Senator Villar has proposed Senate Bill (SB) 2558, aimed at strengthening livestock, poultry, and dairy industry development and competitiveness, while rationalising the organisation and functions of relevant government agencies.
A key feature of the bill is the creation of a fund, like the Rice Competitive Enhancement Fund, to support the livestock, poultry, and dairy sectors. This fund, sourced from tariff collection on imports, will provide annual appropriations for six years to benefit small-hold raisers, cooperatives, associations, or organisations accredited by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
The proposed bill also allocates percentages of the fund for various purposes, including repopulation and herd build-up, improvement of breeding centres, animal health and welfare programs, and disease control and prevention initiatives.
- BusinessMirror
