Solon suggests importation of pork, poultry would lead to loss of life of agri sector

Bayan Muna Consultant Carlos Isagani Zarate on Monday stated the Division of Agriculture’s program to import meat products would drive the hog and poultry sector to its “eventual demise.”

In a statement, Zarate criticized the approach of the company as he questioned why the countrywide govt has usually resorted to importing products, adding that importation ought to normally be the final vacation resort in dealing with climbing prices of merchandise.

“Bakit ba palaging ang default reaction ng Duterte administration, lalo na ng DA, ay palagi ang pag-iimport at hindi ang tulungang paunlarin ang mga magsasaka ng ating bansa?” Zarate explained.

“Tayo ang pinakamalaking importer ng bigas sa mundo, ngayon pati ba naman sa baboy at manok ay focus on din ng DA na tayo ang manguna? Habang naghihirap na nga ang mayorya ng nasa sektor ng agrikultura lalo lang silang binabaon ng pamahalaan sa hukay,” he additional.

The prices of pork and chicken charges have continued to maximize inspite of the cost freeze carried out late past yr thanks to the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak.

In January, Agriculture Secretary William Dar stated the national govt is eyeing to maximize the volume of pork imports to make certain a secure source of pork and rooster meat in the region.

Pork, rooster manufacturing

But citing info from the Philippine Figures Authority, Zarate pointed out the neighborhood creation of pork and chicken is adequate for its need in the Philippines.

“In accordance to the PSA, the for each capita intake of pork and chicken in 2020 is 15 kilos and 13.7 kilos, respectively. This interprets to an estimated intake of 1.5 million metric tons and 1,479.6 thousand metric tons,” Zarate reported.

“Meanwhile, community generation of pork and chicken in 2020 is 2,142.65 thousand metric tons and 1,809.85 thousand metric tons, respectively. Now the place does the DA get its knowledge that there is a have to have to import? Is it saying that the PSA info is completely wrong?” he added.

Zarate mentioned what needs to be done is “to improve help for hog and pou?consider raisers so that they can also  enhance creation.”

“All over again, we re-echo these calls supplied for the duration of our dialogue with community raisers and breeders, as properly as farmers teams: They want concrete programs to speed up re-inhabitants of hog inventory that is now virtually wiped out by ASF and a quit to far more importation,” Zarate said.

“What they seek is government’s aid to the agriculture marketplace and not DA’s or NEDA’s (Nationwide Financial and Advancement Authority) proposals to reduce tariff for imports of agricultural goods,” he extra.

President Rodrigo Duterte had purchased the imposition of a value cap on pork and hen for 60 days in Metro Manila.

Productive February 8, a cost cap per kilogram of P270 was implemented for kasim and pigue, P300 for liempo, and P160 for dressed hen.

Pork holiday

Early Monday early morning, offer of pork and dressed rooster in moist marketplaces in Metro Manila was reportedly low as quite a few meat vendors went on “pork holiday break” on the very first day of the rate ceiling imposed by the govt.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Noel Reyes, nonetheless, said that sanctions versus shops who joined the shift are not forthcoming however. 

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Reyes stated the division is at this time monitoring the circumstance on the ground amid the implementation of the value ceiling in Metro Manila.

“Wala po naman (parusa) at hindi natin mabibigyan ng paratang muna dahil nagmo-watch lang po muna kami,” he reported. — RSJ, GMA Information

This article Solon says importation of pork, poultry would direct to death of agri sector was originally posted in GMA News Online.