PINALAGAN ng isang kongresista ang panawagan ng Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. (PAMPI) sa mga miyembro nito na iboykot ang local pork hanggang hindi tinitiyak ng pamahalaan na ligtas ang bansa sa African swine fever (ASF).
Ayon kay Magsasaka party-list Rep. Argel Cabatbat, bagama’t may pangangailangan na makontrol ang ASF breakout sa bansa, ang panawagan ng PAMPI na huwag bumili ng local pork ay ‘misinformed’ at lalo lamang nagpapahirap sa hog-raising industry.
“The PAMPI needs to be reminded that the likelihood of the ASF originating from imported pork is greater than it coming from local ones,” aniya.
“The call to punish the local industry is a form of scapegoating, especially that the call comes from an organization which sources most of its meat abroad,” dagdag pa niya.
Ang desisyon ng PAMPI ay kasunod ng pagkakakumpiska sa branded at homemade hotdogs, tocino, at longganisa na nagpositibo sa ASF.
“We have more confidence in our sources that are imported. Local pork subjects us to risks,” ani PAMPI spokesperson Rex Agarrado.
“We know that there are unscrupulous traders who would take advantage of the situation; who would possibly buy sick animals, convert them to meat and deliver them to us,” aniya.
