Saturday, September 27, 2008 Agri office mulls lifting meat ban
THE agriculture department would look into the call of a private organization to lift the importation ban on meat following fears of a possible meat shortage on the holiday season, said deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo.
The Philippines Association of Meat Processors, Inc. (Pampi) warned of a possible shortage in supply of ham including high prices of said meat products that has been part of the Christmas tradition for some Filipino families.
Fajardo welcomed the Pampi warning, which he said would be taken into account by the Department of Agriculture (DA).
"I'm sure the DA is conducting a study, weighing between safety and protection of our consumers as well as the law of supply and demand because we also don't want a lack of supply. If the demand increases, then the price will increase especially Christmas is nearing," she said.
The Palace official added that the issue could be raised in the Cabinet meeting in Eastern Samar on Tuesday where the issue of the milk controversy, among others, will be discussed. (JMR/Sunnex)
