Brazil may file a complaint against the Philippines before the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the latter’s poultry import ban from the Southe American country.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the country is ready to deal with the latest trade issue before the world trade body.
“‘Yung kanilang banta sa WTO, bring it on (On the threat to file a case before the WTO, bring it on). We have proven competence pagdating sa WTO litigations (when it comes to WTO litigations,” Roque said during a Palace press briefing Monday.
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.
Earlier, the association of meat processors in the country has appealed not to include the ingredients used in processed meat production in the import ban of chicken products from Brazil.
The mechanically deboned chicken (MDM) from Brazil was included in the Department of Agriculture’s import ban.
Brazil may file complaint vs. Philippines over poultry import ban
MDM is one of the primary raw materials used to manufacture 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.
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.
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.