The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday announced the accreditation of 34 Indian companies to supply “carabeef” or frozen buffalo meat in the Philippines.
“We do not intend to increase imports. What we want is to encourage more foreign companies to compete for our market, which will ultimately drive down the cost of imported agricultural products, benefiting consumers,” DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.
Laurel said the accreditation of more firms will widen sourcing options for food processors in the country and may help lower the costs of corned beef products for Filipinos.
Out of the 34 firms, 21 companies have been initially allowed to export carabeef to the Philippines due to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in three Indian States affecting 13 accredited firms in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Bihar.
The DA said it will not allow ban exemptions for heat-treated products, although a method of boiling to address FMD concerns that is being used in Pakistan for buffalo exports to China may be considered.
The DA, however, clarified that it will not grant exemptions for heat-treated products, as the accreditation pertains specifically to the trade in frozen carabeef.
Laurel said if India has a method of boiling carabeef to address FMD concerns —similar to the process Pakistan uses for buffalo meat it exports to China— he would consider allowing such imports.
“If they can do that, I will allow it,” he said.
Under DA Memorandum Order 59 signed Tuesday, the importation of Indian buffalo meat from the said states is temporarily banned.
The processing as well as the application and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) import clearances are likewise suspended.
Laurel, meanwhile, said the DA aims to expand more sourcing options for the country.
“It doesn’t mean that we will import more. But we need to open up supply sources.. tignan mo nangyari sa India. Anim lang ang nakakapasok na planta sa Pilipinas (look at what happened in India. There are only six plants that supply to the Philippines) since 2019,” he said in a separate interview.
Laurel said the DA is now working on the accreditation of other countries in South America to secure other sources for pork, chicken, and beef.(PNA)
