PH can now export processed meat products to Japan
BUTUAN
CITY, Jun. 15 -- In addition to “chicken yakitori,” the Philippines can now
export processed meat products to Japan.
Agriculture Secretary William Dar said this favorable development is due to the recent inclusion of the Philippines by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) in its list of certified countries that passed the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point-based (HACCP) hygiene management protocols.
“This is
definitely a big boost for our livestock producers, and food manufacturers,
meat processors, and exporters, as we continue to look for market opportunities
to jumpstart the country’s economic recovery amid the pandemic,” the agri chief
said.
“It is
also a testament to our commitment in providing safe, healthy and world-class
quality food for both domestic and export markets, and Japan is a
discriminating market. Thus, we look forward to penetrating more export
markets,” he added.
“We are
pleased that we have successfully hurdled Japan’s stringent food safety and
hygiene management standards,” Secretary Dar said.
Hence, the
Philippines can start exporting beef, carabeef, pork, chevon, mutton, and their
by-products to Japan. Article 11 of Japan’s Food Sanitation Law provides that
only meat products using HACCP management systems may be imported into the
country.
Since
2003, the Department of Agriculture through its National Meat Inspection
Service (DA-NMIS) has implemented the mandatory application of the HACCP
program in all licensed “triple A” (AAA) meat establishments. HACCP is a
science-based, systematic protocol that identifies hazards and measures for
their control to ensure food safety.
Prior to
getting the thumbs-up to ship processed meat products to Japan, the Philippines
was only allowed to export chicken meat, mainly used for grilling as
“yakitori.” said DA-NMIS Director Jocelyn Salvador.
Yakitori
is a Japanese menu where bite-sized chicken, beef, pork and other meat or fish
are put on skewers, which are then grilled and served.
“The HACCP
certification implies that the systems of certification of the Philippines are
at par with global standards,” Salvador said.
“The
significance of this move by Tokyo is that they rely upon and trust our systems
of certification. This means that if the Philippines certifies certain
establishments and meat products, Japan will automatically accept this
certification without question,” she added.
To date,
there are at least 70 Philippine meat establishments, including
slaughterhouses, meat-cutting plants, poultry dressing plants, and cold storage
facilities, in the country that have “AAA” certification from the DA-NMIS, the
list of which has been furnished to the Japan’s MHLW, Salvador said.
Japan
remains one of the country’s largest trading partners which was further
enhanced with the signing of the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership
Agreement in 2006.
The
country’s major agriculture exports to Japan include Cavendish banana,
pineapple, coconut oil, and chicken yakitori.
“This is a
victory, and we are now reaping the rewards of the DA’s continuing efforts to
educate Philippine food manufacturers to adhere to global food safety
standards,” said Sec. Dar.
“This is in line with the Duterte administration’s strategy to increase the country’s exports of farm and fishery products, with emphasis on diversified and expanded value-chain or food systems from farms and fishing grounds, to processing, and finally to dining tables. We will therefore continue to push for more exports of farm and fishery products to propel the agri-industrialization of the Philippine countryside,” he said. (DA StratComms/PIA-Caraga)
