Thailand
Philippines: PCCI pushes calibrated importation of pork
MANILA, Philippines — The country’s largest business organization is pushing for a calibrated importation program and stronger support for local production to help secure supply and bring down prices of pork.
In a statement yesterday, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Benedicto Yujuico said there are measures the government should implement immediately to address the supply of pork and stabilize prices across the value chain.
Among the measures is a calibrated importation of pork “until such time that the spread of the ASF (African swine fever) is curbed and local hog raisers can safely return to their industry.”
“The risk of contamination and spread of the virus is really high because there is no available vaccine yet for ASF. A calibrated importation program is an option government can consider to secure supply and bring down the price of pork,” Yujuico said.
In addition, the PCCI said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the economic team should provide support to strengthen local production.
The group said this could be done by making financing more accessible and by providing support in terms of technology and infrastructure, including additional cold storage facilities for the agriculture sector.
The PCCI also said it supports the steps taken by the DA against those who manipulate the supply and price of agricultural products, as well as to increase the pork, chicken and vegetables being transported from the Visayas and Mindanao to Metro Manila and to Kadiwa outlets, and the provision of subsidy for the logistics cost of supplying pork and chicken in the National Capital Region.
“The DA is doing its level best to address the situation. The allocation of funds should be able to help indemnify hog farmers and to help them as they cope with the shortage brought about by the ASF,” PCCI director for agriculture Roberto Amores said.
Price caps on pork and chicken products in Metro Manila would be in effect for a 60-day period starting Monday.
Under Executive Order 124, the price cap is at P270 per kilo of kasim, P300 per kilo of liempo, and P160 for a kilo of dressed chicken.
The price caps were recommended by the DA amid high prices and supply shortage due to the ASF outbreak.
Source: https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/02/05/2075391/pcci-pushes-calibrated-importation-pork