Hog raisers oppose price ceiling on meat products
TAYUG–Local hog raisers are opposed to the proposed move of the Department of Agriculture to impose a price ceiling on agricultural products, including meat, fish and vegetables in anticipation of an impending increase in the prices of these commodities.
Dr. Rodolfo Custodio, former vice president of the National Association of Hog Farmers and president of the Pangasinan Agro-Ventures Multi-Purpose Cooperative, said the price ceiling is unfair since there is no ceiling set on the prices of input like feeds and its ingredients, soya and corn, which are all imported.
“While the government wants to set the price ceiling on meat, it is not capable of putting price caps on inputs or commodities that are used in growing hogs, chicken and even cattle,” he said.
“The government should allow the free market to continue to dictate the prices of agricultural products,” added Custodio, who served as deputy executive director of the National Meat and Inspection Commission.
Custodio suggested that the National Federation of Hog Farmers and the other hog raisers association in Northern Luzon hold a dialogue to formulate measures to help the government address the situation caused by the shortage of meat following the disastrous typhoons that affected many parts of Luzon.
He said to meet the high demand for meat in Luzon during the holidays, the government should consider sourcing hogs from Visayas and Mindanao, which were not affected by typhoons.
“The only problem about bringing hogs to Luzon from Visayas and Mindanao is higher costs of transport,” Custodio pointed out.
Custodio also said the shortage of pork in Luzon may not be as bad as perceived since production has resumed and is continuing, thus a price cap really be necessary.—LM
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