Gov’t urged to put moratorium on chicken importation
MANILA, Philippines — An agriculture group called on the government on Saturday to pause chicken importation as local supply is more than enough.
According to the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM), by the end of 2024, chicken production will reach 2.26 million metric tons (MT), which is a surplus of approximately half a million metric tons compared to the demand of 1.68 million MT.
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“In the meantime, there is enough reason, given the oversupply of chicken, to have a moratorium on further imports while the policy review is ongoing,” PRRM president Edicio dela Torre said in a statement.
A moratorium should be declared to curb or to avoid an oversupply of chicken, the PRRM added.
Meanwhile, United Broiler Raisers’ Association chairperson Elias Inciong said in the same statement that the government should hold consultations on its next moves to its chicken importation policy.
“Shocks might occur if done rashly,” Inciong said.
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The PRRM added that the government can look into buying from local producers to enhance its food securities or partnering with private sectors.
“But we should also look into investments, by government or through public-private partnerships to improve not just primary production but the whole value chain, to benefit consumers, and also to increase the quantity and quality of employment along the whole value chain,” dela Torre added.
