DA approves 34 Indian firms to export carabeef to PH

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved 34 Indian companies to supply frozen buffalo meat (carabeef) to the Philippines, the agency said Wednesday.

Six of the accredited Indian meat exporters were initially approved in 2019 and renewed their accreditation status. The new accreditation will be valid for three years until December 12, 2027.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the move aims to broaden the sourcing options for Philippine food processors and potentially reduce costs on products like corned beef.

"We do not intend to increase imports. What we want is to encourage more foreign companies to compete for our market, which will ultimately drive down the cost of imported agricultural products, benefiting consumers," Laurel said.

The DA - National Meat Inspection Service confirmed that all 34 companies that sought accreditation met international food safety standards, including the good manufacturing practices and hazard analysis, and critical control points.

However, 13 of these companies are barred from immediately exporting carabeef to the Philippines as their operations are based in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Bihar, where active foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks have been reported.

The DA-Bureau of Animal Industry found that three of the seven Indian states have FMD cases upon reviewing its animal health protocols.

The Agriculture Department had imposed an import ban on these regions. Carabeef imports from these areas are prohibited until the India National Competent Authority declares them free from FMD.

Meanwhile, the DA will also not grant exemptions for heat-treated products, as the accreditation pertains specifically to the trade in frozen carabeef.

Laurel said he might consider allowing the importation of heat-treated products if India has a method of boiling carabeef to address FMD concerns, similar to the process Pakistan uses for buffalo meat it exports to China. — VDV, GMA Integrated News