THE National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) said it will seek to boost cold storage facilities in wet markets in cooperation with local government units (LGUs) to prevent meat from being rejected on inspection.
In an interview during the agency’s 46th anniversary, NMIS Executive Director Ernesto S. Gonzales told reporters: “Imports are usually frozen, and wet markets have problems with frozen meat because we don’t have enough facilities.”
According to Mr. Gonzales, many imported pork products are being confiscated because there are no refrigerators to store frozen meat products in wet markets.
The government is planning to allow agricultural goods to be imported more freely as a measure to contain rising prices, although the lack of cold storage could prove to be a bottleneck for goods like frozen meat.
“Our target is to convince LGUs to set up facilities in the markets,” Mr. Gonzales said, citing the example of wet markets in Davao.
In his speech, Mr. Gonzales said that the NMIS confiscated 10,714.51 kilograms of various types of meat in 87 operations.
Mr. Gonzales noted that imports could bring down the cost of goods but the Philippines needs to have the capability to produce its own.
“We have to be competitive to bring down prices. The problem with imports, although they are definitely cheaper, is what happens to the domestic meat industry?,” Mr. Gonzales said.
Mr. Gonzales also said that NMIS will gather provincial and city veterinarians in November to develop standards for local meat inspection services. The agency is also looking forward to expanding the small-scale meat and poultry industry. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio
