THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday denied reports that China has banned selected poultry and meat imports from the Philippines, saying it has not yet received official notification from the Chinese government.

Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano, however, said the DA would still check the reports on China’s supposed 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 Hong Kong, China and this supposed ban. 

“We are confirming whether these reports are true because a check from the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) showed that the last time we exported to China and Hong Kong was in June 2006,” said Serrano.

“By this time, these poultry and meat items would have been consumed or have expired already,” he noted.

Serrano said the DA would have to look into the supposed ban because 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,” he said.

The DA issued the statement following reports that Beijing has suspended the imports of frozen chicken feet, pig ears and other animal parts from nine companies in the United States, Vietnam and one in the Philippines after inspectors allegedly found traces of arsenic and salmonella in these products.

“Based on our records, the company known as Iexco or Lexco is not among those registered to export meat and meat products from the Philippines and is not on our list of accredited meat exporters,” said BAI director Davinio Catbagan.

BAI records show that the Philippines exported 603,920 kilograms of cooked chicken feet to China and another 131,000 kilos to Hong Kong as of June 2006. Catbagan said the Philippines does not export pig ears to China.

DA records show that the volume was exported by only two companies, Marzell Inc. and Royal Cargo.

Reports say that the Chinese government imposed the ban purportedly in retaliation to the warning issued by the Department of Health (DOH) against consuming packaged foods made in China that may be contaminated with toxic substances such as formaldehyde, illegal dyes and industrial wax.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III advised Filipino consumers last June to ensure that foods imported from China carry a product registration number from the Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD).

Duque had also advised the public to patronize locally made products and temporarily refrain from buying food imports from China.

CLARK FREEPORT—The Metro Clark Advisory Council (MCAC) has endorsed major land utilization projects, including a central business district (CBD), under the development agenda being pursued by the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) for this freeport.

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) has accredited the first three agro-industrial economic zones in the country—one each in Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Cagayan Valley.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) on Monday denied reports that China has banned selected poultry and meat imports from the Philippines, saying it has not yet received official notification from the Chinese government.

OPPONENTS of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (Jpepa) on Monday vowed to pursue their opposition to the controversial trade pact by stepping up their activities when the Philippine Senate tackles the issues surrounding the agreement.

ASSURED of a power consumer for its additional output, STEAG AG’s proposed expansion program will be further advanced with the announced expansion of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. Ltd. (HHIC) for a shipbuilding facility at the Phividec Industrial Estate in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.