Meat processors asked the government to avoid trade dispute with countries that provide raw materials for the food industry.
The Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. said the Philippines imports most of the raw materials needed to produce affordable canned meat products which provided a lifeline to the population at the height of the community quarantine amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“About 90 percent to 95 percent of raw materials of meat processing industry are imported. Not because we want to, but because we have to,” PAMPI said in a statement.
The association said the Philippines imports more than 800,000 metric tons of meat every year, of which 50 to 60 percent is used by meat processors to produce canned meat products, hotdogs and frozen meat items.
“The meat processing industry will continue to grow and support its commitment to supply the food needs of the country. Working with stakeholders and government regulators, we shall resolve and mitigate difficult issues together,” PAMPI said.
The group cited the trade dispute between the Philippines and Brazil in September that has threatened the supply of raw materials for the local meat processing industry.
The Department of Agriculture imposed a ban on chicken meats coming from Brazil, citing health and phytosanitary issue as reasons.
Brazil, through a joint statement from its Ministry of External Relations Affairs and Ministry of Agriculture on Sept. 5, 2020, warned the Philippines that the DA action was against the tenets of the World Trade Organization policy.
The Food and Drug Administration reiterated the findings of the World Health Organization that the virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed at temperature similar to that of other known viruses and bacteria found in food.
PAMPI said the MDM from Brazil is a source of affordable and dependable raw materials for processed meats. The MDM from Brazil keeps local processed meat at affordable levels lest the cost of production will rise by 20 percent.
The group said they could not afford to lose raw meat supply from Brazil as it would be difficult for them to pass on the additional cost to consumers.
“We appeal to the government for an intervention so that we will be able to deliver our commitment to serve our people through a sustainable food security system,” PAMPI said.
The P310-billion meat processing industry provides direct employment to some 150,000 people. In 2019, the industry produced some 900 million kilograms of processed meats.