Local producers laud lifting of PAP import suspension

Aquafeed producers have lauded the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) lifting of the suspension of importation of processed animal proteins (PAPs) and other ingredients used in aquaculture feeds, which is seen to reverse the decline in fish production and stabilize prices.

In its Memorandum Order (MO) No. 59 issued August 5, the DA lifted the MO No. 6 issued on March 8, 2019, which banned the importation of processed porcine for animal feed use from countries affected by African Swine Fever (ASF).

In its latest order, the agency allowed the importation of PAP from ASF-affected countries solely for aquatic feed use.

The DA also cited the World Organisation for Animal Health Code’s Article 13.1.23, which stipulates that the ASF virus is inactivated when meat is subjected to heat for at least 30 minutes at a minimum temperature of 70°C.

“The aquaculture sector welcomes this initiative as it has been requesting this since April of this year. The general public will stand to benefit from this decision as there will be a continuous supply of affordable protein coming from aquaculture. You can just imagine if the P120 tilapia and P170 bangus will no longer be available,” Asis Perez, convenor of Tugon Kabuhayan, said in a news release.

Norbert Chingcuangco, vice president of Feedmix Inc. and also Tugon Kabuhayan convenor, said PAP is a key, irreplaceable ingredient for the production of feeds in aquaculture but was banned out of fear of ASF.

“PAPs are processed at high temperatures that kill all forms of bacteria and viruses,” Chingcuangco said.

Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority’s (PSA) report that aquaculture production declined 0.6% in the second quarter of the year, Perez said that the ban on importing PAP affected production.

“Fish growth slowed down because of the absence of proper ingredients. Nutritionists had a hard time balancing nutritional needs without PAPs. Fish production is not growing. Tugon Kabuhayan has been vigorously advocating to allow the importation of PAPs, 70% of which are from Italy, when they were disallowed starting January,” Perez said.

Tugon Kabuhayan said that aquaculture produces more than sea catch, citing the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization and the DA.

The group said the PSA estimates that fish from aquaculture is over 800,000 metric tons (MT) yearly. —VBL, GMA News