Bambi rejects Pampi call to lift pork ban

By SHIELA MAE BUTLIG
Correspondent

REELING from the dip in sales, the president of the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (Pampi) requested Misamis Oriental Gov. Yevgeny Vincente Emano to lift the ban on processed food in the province.

However, Emano denied the request of the group, citing the welfare of local hog growers.

In a letter dated Oct. 21, Pampi president Felix Tiukinhoy of Virginia Food Corp. explained to Emano that they understand the purpose of the ban coming at the heels of the African Swine Fever epidemic that has swept across the country.

Emano’s Executive order for banning entry of pork products from Luzon is EO 2019-13.

The group insisted that their processed foods are fully cooked and smoked ranging from temperatures of 70 degrees Celsius to as high as 121 degrees Celsius for 20 to 70 minutes.

Tiukinhoy explained in the letter that this kind of heat is enough to kill viruses and bacteria, including the African Swine Fever.

Pampi is composed of over 34 meat processors from across the country, which includes Virginia Food Corp. and Jollibee Foods Corp..

Provincial veterinarian Benjamin Resma said they cannot lift the ban.

“Gikonsulta ko ni, Gov, ug wala ko nisugot kay ang mga hog raisers kay dili pud musugot,” Resma said.

He said the ban on pork and processed pork products in the province would continue until there is an official declaration that pork products coming from Luzon is African Swine Fever-free.

Processed food includes longannisa, chorizo, ham, and embutido, among others.