TWO Philippine companies have been accredited to export chicken meat, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
The DA was citing a memorandum from Seoul-based Agriculture Attaché Maria Alilia G. Maghirang dated Nov. 24, identifying the Philippine companies as Carino and Sons Agri-Development, Inc. (CASADI) and LDP Farms Food Corp.
CASADI is based in San Jose, Batangas while LDP Farms has its operations in Rosario, La Union. The products for exported are chilled or frozen meat, bone, fat, skin, and tendon.
“CASADI and LDP Farms may commence their exports of chicken meat to Korea, effective Nov. 23, 2021,” Ms. Maghirang said.
According to Ms. Maghirang, the two companies were inspected remotely by the South Korea Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Rural Affairs Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA).
The Philippines won approval from Seoul to resume shipments after a temporary prohibition on chicken meat and pet bird imports imposed in August.
In March 2020, the South Korean ministry banned imports of Philippine chicken meat and pet birds with the issue of notices known as “Import Sanitary Condition of Philippine chicken” and “Import Sanitary Condition of birds except poultry” following the detection of the H5 avian influenza outbreak in the Philippines last year.
Ms. Maghirang said the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul is ready to facilitate the accreditation of other exporters once they indicate their intent to be inspected and submit complete documents for the renewal of their accreditation to export chicken meat.
“To ensure food safety, APQA is encouraging the Philippines to observe strict compliance with Korean regulations for imported food, particularly chicken meat,” Ms. Maghirang said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
