By Cielito M. Reganit
MANILA, May 7 (PNA) — A Department of Agriculture official on Thursday cited the importance of the feed industry in ensuring food safety, particularly in meat, as a means of boosting the competitiveness of Philippine meat products in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
Agriculture Undersecretary Jose Reaño said the use of high quality feeds ensure the production of safe meat and assures the competitiveness and productivity of the local swine industry.
“Animal health is interrelated with what they consume. The competitiveness of our livestock industry starts with safe, quality feeds,” he said during the launching of the first ever National Swine Nutrition Month held at the Max’s Restaurant inside the Quezon City Memorial Circle.
He noted how the presence of banned chemicals used as feed additives show up in the meat of animals, rendering the meat unfit for human health.
“Although the Philippines is the only country in ASEAN that is free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the presence of banned chemicals in our meat products would negate this advantage,” he said.
“It is thus important to source feeds from reputable sources in order to guarantee that the meat we produce are safe for our health. By ensuring food safety, we are ensuring public health,” Reaño said.
He likewise said that since feeds comprise around 70 percent of the cost of production in livestock, the use of quality feeds would boost their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.
Meanwhile, Univet Nutrition and Animal Healthcare Company (UNAHCO) president and COO Ricardo Alba said that they are fully supporting the government’s thrust of ensuring food safety and security.
UNAHCO, one of the prime movers of the Philippine feed industry, is spearheading the celebration of the National Swine Nutrition Month along with the DA.
Alba said that in accordance with the celebration’s theme “Quality and Safety, from Feed to Meat,” his company owes it to the Filipino people to provide not only high quality feed products but to help spread crucial information about the link between food safety and safe needs.
“As the animal healthcare and nutrition division of industry leader Unilab, UNAHCO has always been one with the government in the pursuit to ensure food safety and security for the country’s growing population,” he aid.
“Our main concern is the health of the people and that is why, true to the values of our company, we make sure that every ingredient included in our feeds is safe and of the highest quality,” the UNAHCO president said.
As part of the National Swine Nutrition Month celebrations, the DA and UNAHCO will hold nationwide information caravans and seminars on food safety .
These will be done in coordination with concerned local government units as well as regional, provincial and municipal veterinarians and health officers. (PNA)