Poultry shipments from US monitored

The Philippine Department of Agriculture is closely monitoring the entry of imported poultry from the United States following reports that traders might hoard the produce in order to raise domestic prices.

Companies allowed to import poultry are San Miguel Corp., RFM, Bounty Chicken, Tyson Agri Ventures, Philippine Association of Broilers Integrators and members of United Broiler Raisers Association. Imported poultry is set to come in starting this week until December 31.

Agriculture Undersecretary for Livestock and Fisheries Jesus Paras assured the government would be vigilant. Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap noted the industry supplied consumers with 610,096 mt or 610.1-million kg of poultry meat in 2005. This year's projected supply has been pegged at a lower 605,385 mt or 605.38-million kilos.

"Hoarding is common practice among traders. What we can do is to strictly monitor the arrival of shipments and make sure we get whatever is the authorized volume only," he said.

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Editor WorldPoultry