THE United States is keen on Manila as a market for bone meal and for more vegetable exports.

US Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack, who is currently in Manila, said these commodities are of particular interest to American producers.

“The US is seeking to increase exports of vegetables to the Philippines [such as] lettuce, carrots, broccoli, celery, cauliflower and fresh potatoes,” Vilsack told reporters in a press briefing in Makati City yesterday.

The US farm chief said he and his Philippine counterpart, Agriculture Secretary Arthur  Yap, held preliminary discussions on increasing vegetable exports on Monday.

Meanwhile, bone meal from the US and other countries is banned from the Philippines as per Memorandum Order 8.

The ban was imposed due to bovine spongiform encelopathy, or mad-cow disease. Manila imposed the ban to prevent the possible spread of the disease in the Philippines.

In a text message, Agriculture Undersecretary Bernie Fondevilla said the Philippine government may issue a decision today as to whether Manila will lift the ban.

On banana exports, Vilsack said the US is just awaiting the Philippines’ comments on the assessment made by a USDA team.

In August last year the USDA pronounced that bananas from the Philippines could enter the US, provided that local producers undertake certain measures to ensure that Philippine bananas will not pose a threat to US farms.

As for mangoes, he said, efforts remain underway to survey possible areas where the US mainland can source pest-free mangoes.

Based on figures from the USDA, the Philippines is not a significant importer of US fresh vegetables.

Historical data from the USDA revealed that Canada is the top destination of fresh US vegetables.