Influx of smuggled imported meat hit
LINGAYEN–The influx of imported frozen meat into the country, including Pangasinan, has alarmed local hog raisers.
Provincial Board Member Danilo Uy, one of the biggest hog raisers in Pangasinan, called on the Department of Agriculture to act expeditiously to stop flooding local markets with smuggled imported but cheaper frozen meat.
“The frozen meat, both legally imported and smuggled, are hurting the local hog industry,” said Uy.
Uy noted that while the entry of imported frozen meat is regulated, nobody seems to be watching the entry of smuggled frozen meat.
He also pointed out that imported frozen meat should only be delivered to local meat processors but should never to be sold directly in market.
The hog industry noted that frozen meat is being sold cheaper than the freshly slaughtered meat and this has severely affected the revenues of hog raisers.
He also warned that since the imported meat did not go through strict inspection, there is a possibility that the frozen meat being dumped in local markets could be contaminated.
A report of contamination and poisoning of some household by the imported frozen meat will impact on the viability of the local hog industry.
Uy said the DA must act on the problem to safeguard both the health of consumers and the hog raising industry.
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