‘2.5M kilos of imported meat flooding Visayas, Mindanao’
The committee on agriculture of the House of Representatives on Wednesday revealed an estimated 2.5 million kilos of imported meat, believed to be contaminated, are flooding the Visayas and Mindanao markets.
Agham party-list Rep. Angelo Palmones, in an exclusive interview, said this was the result of the committee’s marathon hearing to investigate the alleged over importation of meat products.
Palmones is co-author of House Resolution No. 303 with House agriculture committee chair and Batangas Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza urging a ban on further chicken and pork imports.
“We found out during the hearing that there is no shortage in the supply of chicken and pork. The local production is enough to supply what we need,” he said.
Palmones, however, said that the government is allowing the over-importation to the detriment of the local livestock industry.
HR 303 states that “the viability of the broiler production industry, composed mainly of small and medium-sized producers, is being threatened” with the over importation of meat.
It also noted that the imports of choice chicken cuts have risen 130 percent to 49 million kilos in the first half of 2010 alone.
The cuts were considered rejects in their countries of origin because of their relatively high cholesterol content, the Agham party-list said.
During the hearing they conducted last week in Cebu, Palmones said one importer divulged that some 100 container vans totalling 2.5 million kilos of imported meat arrived in October this year which is intended to be distributed in public markets in the Visayas and Mindanao in December 2010 and January 2011.
The importer, a certain Jude del Rio, owner of Judphilan Foods International Corp., also told the House body that another shipment of 100 container vans is due to arrive for the February to March 2011 distribution.
As such, the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) issued guideline in the handling of imported meat when sold in wet markets.
“We owe it to the public. We should always consider their welfare in everything that we do especially when crafting guideline that ensure the safety and quality of meat and meat products,” said NMIS executive director Jane Bacayo.
Although imported meat is allowed to be sold in wet markets, Bacayo said vendors should observe “the standards pertaining to maintaining its safety and quality. Frozen meat that are not handled properly poses a risk to the health of consumers.”
The guideline, which was signed last week by Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala and will take effect on December 12, prescribes that frozen meat when sold in wet markets “have to be kept in a controlled environment that prevents it from thawing.”
“The vendors should avoid placing the meat directly in contact with dirty surfaces. It should also retain its original packaging,” it said.
Bacayo also warned consumers to look for the Meat and Meat Product Inspection Certificate when buying meat.
This document certifies that the meat that they buy was certified to be free from any risks that might be hazardous to one’s health, she said.*PNA
