Pork producers to question new Agriculture directive

DAGUPAN CITY -- Hog raisers are planning to question the implementation of a directive from the Department of Agriculture that stops traders from selling the meat eight hours after the animal is slaughtered.

In a press conference, Swine Development Council director Rosendo So said they supported the move of Samahang Walang-Iwanan Cooperative to seek a temporary restraining order (TRO) before the Supreme Court on Administrative Order (AO) 5.

Asked to be deleted from AO 5 signed by Secretary Proceso Alcala last March is the section that covers “handling of meat and meat products.”

Section 6.2.6 states the “meat shall be at the sales area for only eight hours from the time of slaughter as indicated in the meat inspection certificate issued at the slaughterhouse.”

Section 6.2.7, on the other hand, cautions that “meat unsold after eight hours even if maintaining its fresh-like quality and showing no signs of spoilage cannot be further sold.”

So said this AO is putting another burden to the hog producers industry, which has long been suffering from the effect of undue competition caused by smuggled meat.

“Hogs and cattle are being slaughtered at the slaughterhouses usually past 12 midnight for these to be ready for delivery at the public markets hours later. This AO has serious effect on us. Imagine, we have to sell our products within eight hours?” he said.

So said there could have been international pressure especially from importers who would want to import more meat products.

He clarified, however, that they are not against importation but local producers should not be at the losing end.

The agriculture department is currently in negotiations to export chilled and frozen pork to the Middle East, Malaysia, and Japan, and frozen chicken to South Korea. (Sunnex)