Recent Measures in Livestock and Poultry Management: Bans, Price Controls, and Import Strategies

Ban on Poultry Imports from Sweden and Czech

On March 21, 2024, the Department of Agriculture (DA) imposed temporary bans on poultry imports from Sweden and the Czech Republic to prevent the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), particularly the H5N1 subtype, and protect our local poultry population. The ban covers all domestic and wild bird products, including meat, chicks, eggs, and semen.  Processing of import clearances was also suspended. 

DA Widens Sourcing of Meat Imports

DA has accredited 99 meat exporters from Brazil, Germany, Hungary, and Poland, expanding the Philippines’ sources of imported meats last March 20, 2024. The move further widens the Philippines’ options in securing imported meat supply, but this may impact local meat producers as increased competition from imports could affect their market share. DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. emphasizes compliance with regulations for meat safety, but local farmers may face challenges in competing with imports. Based on the US Trade Representative’s advisory, the Philippines was given an additional 25,300 metric tons (MT) on top of the earlier allocation of 145,235 MT and is now at a total of 170,535 MT.

Call for Price Ceiling on Pork

Based on monitoring by the Department of Agriculture in Metro Manila markets, pork shoulder is sold at as high as Php 370 per kilo and pork belly at as high as Php 420 per kilo. On March 18, 2024, the farmers’ group Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food pushed for the imposition of a price ceiling for pork amid the continued spike in its retail cost while noting that the farmgate price of pork ranged only between Php 140 and Php 160 per kilo. Imposing imprisonment can prevent people from violating the price ceiling, potentially aiding in the control of pork prices.