PH to begin importing renowned Argentinian beef

The Philippine government is set to start the importation of beef from Argentina after three companies from the country received accreditation from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said.

This would be the first time Argentina, with a cattle population of 52 million, would be supplying meat to the country, Bureau of Animal Industry Assistant Director Simeon Amurao said.

In a Facebook post, Piñol also said the Department of Agriculture would be working with the cattle sector there “for the implementation of programs which would result in the increase of the Philippine cattle population from 2.5 million now to 5 million by the end of the term of [President Duterte].”

In exchange, Argentina would be looking at importing coconut products, carageenan extracted from red edible seaweeds, and other agricultural products from the Philippines.

Amurao said the agency had yet to decide on the volume of meat that would be imported.

The agency was also looking to bulk up its meat supply through imports from the United States where the Philippines had “favorable trade incentives.”

Piñol said the ban on Brazilian beef remained, following reports of salmonella found in previous purchases. He said, however, they were awaiting results from further studies on this “isolated case.”

A Philippine delegation is expected to visit Brazil and Argentina this December for another round of negotiations in the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Piñol said the department would also continue trading with Australia, the biggest exporter of beef and live cattle to the country.