Balita.ph- February 3, 2012 10:49 pm
By Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan

MANILA, Feb. 3 — The Department of Agriculture said on Friday that a South Korean company may start importing processed chicken meat products from the Philippines once Seoul completes its quarantine requirements and risk analysis of the local poultry production.

Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) director Efren Nuestro said the bureau has started talks with Korea’s Sinwoo Food Inc. for the importation of heat-treated and fresh frozen chicken leg quarters.

The Korean firm was just waiting for the approval of the Korean government.

“We have already submitted the necessary documents to the Korean government on how we handle the pesticide and drug residue, which is one of their major concerns,” Nuestro said.

“The Philippines has been exporting chicken meat to Japan since 2004, which has one of the most stringent standards, but we are able to comply with their requirements. This is a good indicator for Korea to pursue importation in the Philippines,” Nuestro said.

The DA official said the agriculture department expected to facilitate the early commencement of the project, if possible, by May 2012.

Nuestro said that South Korea, which currently imports their chicken requirements from the United States and Brazil, is now more interested to chicken products from the Philippines because it is tastier.

The official also noted that as an Avian Influenza-free country and in terms of logistics, the Philippines is in closer proximity to Korea compared with its traditional meat exporters.

Meanwhile, Nuestro said that officials from San Miguel Food Inc. and Bounty Fresh Food Inc. had already presented their production, market offer and export capacity to their counterparts in Sinwoo Food.

Earlier, Department of Agriculture officials met with their counterpart from South Korea to discuss the South Korea-Philippines multi- industry cluster project, a possible overseas development assistance cooperation on agriculture and the execution of pest risk analysis on fresh agriculture products,including poultry.

The Philippines has become a preferred provider of chicken products in Asia as the country remains free from the dreaded avian influenza virus, which has crippled poultry industries in its neighboring countries. (PNA) RMA/CLTC

Source: South Korean firm eyes processed chicken meat products from PHL