Pork producers raise concern over processed animal protein from ASF-hit countries

Local pork producers expressed concern over the approval given by the Department of Agriculture on the importation of processed animal proteins from countries affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF), according to Sandra Aguinaldo's report on "24 Oras."

However, according to the memorandum issued by the agency, the proteins will only be used in aquatic feeds.

But pork producers said there are hog growers that use these processed proteins, thus adding to the ASF-related concerns.

“Hindi pa ho talaga handa yung Pilipinas, to scrutinize yung mga papasok na raw materials o pork related products dito sa atin sa teritoryo natin sa Pilipinas cause we don’t have ang tinatawag na first border control,” said Rolando Tambago, President Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines.

However, Tugon Kabuhayan, a food security and livelihood advocacy group that supports DA's decision to import processed proteins, said the ASF virus is killed in the process of producing feeds.

The feeds is also vital in the aquaculture industry.

“Sa Europa kasi napakahigpit ng regulation. Walang botcha doon, di ka pwedeng kumain ng karne na galing sa namatay,” said Atty. Asis Perez Tugon Kabuhayan co-convenor.

This is supported by the guidelines issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry, which is under the Department of Agriculture.

The agency underscored that the animal feeds is subjected to very high temperature where ASF is inactivated and dies when exposed to a minimum temperature of 70 degrees within 30 minutes.

Pork supply for the holidays

Local producers expect a steady supply of pork for the holidays. But consumers should prepare for the possible price increase.

“Kung sobra sobra talaga ang demand siguro gagalaw ng konti yung presyo, but we see that hindi po masyado mataas yung pagtaas,” Tambago said. -- Sherylin Untalan/BAP, GMA News