In an effort to contain the spread of African Swine Fever, the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) has asked its members to temporarily stop the purchase of local pork as raw materials for their processed meat products.
“Because of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) test results leaked by some hog raisers themselves, and the continued warning of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to local swine groups not to feed swill to their pigs, we believe that it is safer for the meat processing industry NOT TO BUY LOCAL PORK until they are able to assure government authorities and the consuming public that local pork is ASF-free,” said Rex Agarrado, PAMPI spokesman.
“In fact, several meat processors have stopped buying local pork as a result of the latest findings.
We urge authorities to randomly test for ASF pork not just here in Luzon but even in the Visayas and Mindanao areas to restore consumer confidence,” said Agarrado.
PAMPI, in a statement, also said it decided to halt all purchases of pork materials from local producers until such time that clear and enforceable policies on movement, distribution and sale of processed pork products are in place.
“PAMPI recognizes the authority of LGUs to protect the welfare of constituents in the agriculture sector but at the same time, pleads that such protection be also accorded other vital sectors of the economy,” the statement said.
“Repeated assurances by health authorities that ASF does not pose any risk to the health of humans will have no value and meaning for the meat processing industry and consumers as well if its products are intercepted and confiscated on the way to market or sent back to the factories,” PAMPI said.
PAMPI is the country’ largest group of meat processors, consisting of 88 member-companies, generating more than P300 billion in sales annually and employing 150,000 direct employees and another 200,000 employees in allied sectors.
