Key Philippine Veterinary Officials Examine U.S. Industry Practices

Last week a Philippine technical veterinary team visited the United States to learn more about several regulatory issues that relate directly to U.S. red meat exports to the Philippines. Members of the team were:

• Dr. Minda S. Manantan, executive director of the Philippine National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), a key technical expert and decision-maker with regard to all meat safety and import regulations
• Dr. Jocelyn A. Salvador, chief of the NMIS Import/Export Division, which is charged with enforcing meat import regulations
• Dr. Simeon Amurao, assistant director of the Philippine Bureau of Animal Industry, which is in charge of animal health and veterinary quarantine inspections at all ports

(from left) James Dickson of Iowa State University, Simeon Amurao, Minda Manantan and Jocelyn Salvador of the Philippine technical veterinary team and John Hinners, USMEF

The Philippines is the leading destination in the ASEAN region for both U.S. pork and beef. Through July, pork/pork variety meat exports to the Philippines totaled 24,879 metric tons (mt) valued at $66.4 million. Beef/beef variety meat exports totaled 8,123 mt valued at $35 million.

One of the key issues under consideration is an expiration date for frozen meat and poultry entering the Philippines, with the Philippine Department of Agriculture currently considering a six-months-from-slaughter-date maximum for all frozen imports. There is no scientific basis for such a regulation, but government officials are under pressure from domestic industries who claim that large volumes of “expired” products are entering the country. The visiting team received information on U.S. cold chain requirements and other measures taken to ensure the safety and timely delivery of frozen meat. The team also had many questions regarding mechanically deboned meat (MDM), which is a large import item for the Philippines.

In addition to meeting with U.S. government officials in Washington, D.C., team members toured the Tyson Fresh Meats pork plant in Waterloo, Iowa, where they gathered information about the plant’s safety control measures and handling practices. Based on feedback provided to USMEF Assistant Vice President for Industry Relations John Hinners, who accompanied the team during its time in Iowa, the Philippine officials were very impressed with plant operations and with the safety information provided.

The team also met with Dr. James Dickson, professor of animal science at Iowa State University. Dickson addressed many questions regarding the shelf life for frozen meat products, proper thawing and handling practices and meat labeling requirements.