|
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Palace eyes alternative milk source
MANILA – Malacañang is looking into goat’s milk as an alternative milk source should there be any shortage of milk supply caused by the scare of the melamine tainted milk from China.
An interagency body composed of six government agencies was also created on Tuesday to handle the ongoing milk scare in the country.
What's your take on the Mindanao crisis? Discuss views with other readers
Deputy presidential spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said she already sent a letter to DA endorsing the earlier request of small ruminant centers that are working with the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in Nueva Ecija to develop and expand the goat's milk industry.
She said the funds could be used to increase the production of goat's milk as well as the breeding of the goats by mixing local livestock with the foreign breed to produce more milk, and on the packaging and commercial distribution of the milk, among others.
A CLSU study showed that goat’s milk is closed to mother’s milk and is better that cow’s milk.
"This is a good opportunity for us. The crisis can be turned into an opportunity for these goat farmers," she added.
According to Fajardo, goat's milk is a "safe and healthy" alternative to powdered milk and to cow's milk.
She said the goat's milk could be taken by an infant or an adult.
"Breast milk is still the best for babies, but as an alternative the goat's milk in its purest form could be given to the infant already," she said.
Fajardo said aside from the good taste, the goat's milk is clean as the goat's diet is only limited to grass. She added that unlike the goat's meat, the milk has no bitter taste or aftertaste after consumption.
She said at present, the goat's milk is more popularly known as a soap or beauty bar ingredient.
Data from the Philippine National Dairy Authority (NDA) showed that despite the continuing government and industry efforts to increase dairy production, Philippine milk production remains at less than one percent of total dairy requirements with import filling most of the supply.
Imports of milk and milk products increased by over 10 percent in 2007, and are expected to continue to grow in 2008 due to rising demand and the appreciation of the peso. Dairy product is the country's second largest agricultural import.
As of January 1, 2007, there were estimated 26,172 dairy animals, an increase of about 1.65 percent from 2006, comprised of cattle (12,094), water buffalo (13,155) and goats (923), however, the average milking capacity per animal remains low due mainly to inadequate feeding and poor animal management practices.
The average farmgate price of cow’s milk rose by 6.2 percent to P17/liter in 2006 from P16/liter in 2005, while the price of carabao’s milk remained steady at P45.00/liter. Goat’s milk declined by nearly six percent from P35/liter in 2005 to P33/liter in 2007, as supply increased.
Milk shortage
On the other hand, milk wholesalers are asking the Department of Health (DOH) to hasten the examination of milk products with possible melamine contamination.
Henry Ang, a milk wholesaler, in a television interview said milk supply has decreased by 50 percent due to the melamine scare and the government ban.
The government has also organized a task force to undertake an information campaign to clear the confusion created by the milk scare.
The interagency body, to be headed by Duque, is composed of representatives by the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Justice, Bureau of Customs, and the Presidential Anti-Smuggling Group.
Last week, the DOH imposed a temporary total ban on all milk products and by-products following the discovery of melamine contamination in China.
The tainted milk from Sanlu Group Co. has so far claimed four lives in China and caused illness to at least 55,000 Chinese children.
The ban will remain until BFAD has accomplished its laboratory testing on the questionable products and declared them fit for human consumption. It also prohibits the importation, selling, and consumption of the products that bare the label "Made in China."
During its initial meeting at the BFAD national office in Muntinlupa City Tuesday, the panel agreed to pursue immediate legal actions against any establishments found selling banned milk products and by-products after the order was issued last September 23.
On the other hand, the DILG is set to coordinate with local government units in gathering support to the campaign headed by the health department.
China at the same time is willing to extend assistance to those with claims against Chinese companies embroiled in the controversial “melamine” content of Chinese-manufactured milk.
Ambassador Song Tao said, “The Chinese government has taken some measures and I firmly believe that the milk products from China is safe in terms of quality now.”
Song said the incident is now in control in China and emphasized that the milk scare is just a small percentage of China’s over-all trade that its government could very well handle.
”But our hope is that we would like to have this kind of issue (solved) in the spirit of seeking the truth and facts… We don’t want this issue to be exaggerated and (it) not to flare up… we would urge these (Chinese) companies involved in this matter to solve this commercial moral (standards).”
BFAD had earlier released a list of 54 products they are testing, but added that not all in the list are automatically banned in the market. (FP/JMR/ PNA/ Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (October 1, 2008 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here. |
|
|
|
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Muslims pray for peace, safety as Ramadan ends