FMD Fears Over Indian Meat Imports

PHILIPPINES - Meat processors in the Philippines have issued a warning over the possible outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the country from imports from India.
calendar icon 22 July 2011
clock icon 1 minute read

The processors are concerned because the government has accredited new suppliers from India where they say FMD is rife.

Felix O. Tiukinoy, president of the Philippine Association of Meat Processors of the Philippines Inc. (PAMPI), said the certification of the new suppliers lacked transparency, Malaya Business Insight reports.

PAMPI alleged the new Indian meat plants do not pass the scrutiny of the DA Inspection Mission (DAIM), which is formed of members of the Bureau of Animal Industry and the National Meat Inspection Service.

Buffalo meat or carabeef imported from India is one of the primary raw materials in the manufacture of processed meat products such as corned beef or hotdogs.

According to PAMPI, Indian plants exporting carabeef to the Philippines must undergo rigid protocols to avoid FMD contamination.

Last year, only three exporters were allowed to supply carabeef to the Philippines, after their plants had been inspected by the DA and PAMPI.

Now PAMPI believes the regulations have been relaxed to allow the new plants to be accredited, the reports says.

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