The association of meat processors in the country has appealed not to include the ingredients used in the production of processed meat in the import ban of chicken products from Brazil.
The mechanically deboned chicken (MDM) from Brazil was included in the import ban implemented by the Department of Agriculture.
MDM is one of the primary raw materials used in the manufacture of canned goods such as meatloaf and other processed meat.
According to the Philippine Association of Meat Processors, Inc., there is already a shortage in the inventory of canned supplies in supermarkets and warehouses.
“We have more or less 6, 7 weeks, where we will not feel anything. Beyond that, you will already go to the supermarkets and you will not have products to buy,” said PAMPI Spokesman Rex Agarrado.
It will be recalled that the DA imposed a ban on poultry items from Brazil after China found COVID-19 on some samples of poultry from the said country.
According to PAMPI, Brazil is the country’s second-largest supplier of poultry parts, so if the ban is continued, expect a shortage of processed meat products such as meatloaf, hotdogs, and other poultry products.
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Brazil chicken import ban could affect canned good supplies
According to the Department of Agriculture, other suppliers can take the country, but they will still study the appeal of PAMPI.
“Pag-aaralan po natin yung mga isusumite na dokumento po ng Brazilian government, pag-aaralan po natin. Kung makita po natin na safe yung pagproseso nila ng mechanically deboned meat, puwede po natin payagan yun,” said Bureau of Animal Industry Director Ronnie Domingo.
For the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), there should be a first border facility to inspect shipments of processed meat entering the country.
It was December 2019 when the government approved the availability of the facility but it has not yet been implemented.
“Ang problema up to now, hindi na-install iyon, so ibig sabihin, wala tayong pasilidad to check iyong mga produkto kung positive or contaminated ng other diseases of virus. So iyon ang kailangang gawin ng government, maglagay ng facility na ma-check ng DA and FDA iyong mga product na pumapasok sa ating bansa sa port of entry,” said SINAG Chairman Rosendo So.