August 2, 2023

Philippine president did not discuss over-import of poultry meat during recent meeting, official claimed

Some agriculture stakeholders in the Philippines have called for a more thorough discussion on the country's poultry industry on July 31.

The Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM) said Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had recently met with the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries-National Sectoral Committees as well as regional agricultural and fishery councils to discuss pressing issues in the industry.

According to PRRM president Edicio dela Torre, Marcos was able to hear views from producers, particularly when it comes to poultry and livestock.

"But, based on the feedback of key participants in the meeting, the important issue of over-importation, legal and illegal, of meat, especially poultry, was not discussed. That's the downside," Dela Torre said in a statement.

Following the president's second State of the Nation address, United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) chairman Gregorio San Diego also sought Marcos' attention in terms of having a detailed plan on how to develop the local poultry industry and the whole agriculture sector.

The PRRM noted that the local poultry industry continues to be "saddled with the same issue of overabundant supply of chicken in the market," which is due to over-importation and rampant smuggling.

The group estimated that the local output could meet the additional increase in per capita consumption. However, imports continue to come into the Philippines and these hurt local producers.

Dela Torre said that a temporary moratorium on poultry imports should be done amid the oversupply.

— GMA Integrated News