Philippines clarifies meat import ban reports

The Philippine government did not ban meat imports, according to officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA). 

Bureau of Animal Industry's director Dave Catbagan said agriculture secretary Arthur Yap has not issued any ban on pork imports, but merely asked DA's regulatory agencies to review of issuing of import permits for agricultural products in an effort to stop smuggling.

''There is no ban," Catbagan said, "The instruction of the Secretary is in view of the alleged rampant smuggling in the hog sector. The secretary instructed the DA regulatory agencies like the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Bureau of Plant Industry and BAI to review the issuance of import permits to determine if there are lapses."

Since reports of the alleged ban broke out, industry players were alarmed as there was a perceived reduction in pork supply, which increases the need to import meat.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Salvador Salacup said the Bureau of Animal Industry officials have been ordered to link up hog producers and meat processors to handle grave issues regarding domestic supply and pricing of pork.

To avoid pork shortages during the Christmas season, the DA is keen to arrange meetings between backyard hog farmers with meat traders such as the Philippine Association of Meat Processors, and the Meat Importers and Traders Association, according to Salacup.

The plan is to convince industry players, especially the retailers, to adopt a standard retail price, Salacup said.

The DA is said to be considering several measures to strengthen the hog industry, including the provision of feed subsidies, a stock dispersal programme and disease control programmes.

The Philippine hog industry is dominated by backyard farmers who account for 70 percent of the meat supply while commercial producers represent the remaining 30 percent.