DA checks on alleged China ban on RP poultry
THE PHILIPPINES - The Department of Agriculture (DA) is checking the veracity of reports about China's alleged suspension of selected poultry and meat imports from the Philippines."We have not received any such formal notification from China about any interceptions or detentions of Philippine food exports to Hongkong, China and this supposed ban. We are confirming whether these reports are true because a BAI (Bureau of Animal Industry) check showed that the last time we exported to China and Hong Kong was in June 2006 yet," said Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano.
"By this time, these poultry and meat items would have been consumed or have expired already," he added.
Serrano said the DA will have to look into this reported ban because the Chinese importers should have complained about the said shipments upon their arrival in China last year.
The regular procedure is for Chinese authorities to formally notify the Philippine government about any defects or violations of standards from the time such Philippine goods arrived in China's port of entry.
"The only time we have heard about such a complaint was in this news report that came out last weekend," Serrano said.
"Hence, we first have to check the veracity of such reports before the DA can take any official action about it," he said.