THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has approved a three-year meat export accreditation for Brazil and Germany, as well as some companies in Hungary and Poland.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the department said the decision came after the DA inspection missions visited these countries late last year and issued clearances.
"Exporter accreditation is necessary to ensure cattle, swine and poultry meat sourced from abroad are free of pathogens and other diseases that could pose a risk to Filipinos and the multibillion-peso domestic livestock and poultry industry," the DA said.
The inspection conducted by the Agriculture department found that all 36 meat establishments in Germany and 48 in Brazil adhere to the animal health regulations outlined by the World Organization of Animal Health.
The same goes with the 12 establishments in Poland and three in Hungary. The DA said these firms comply with the quarantine and meat inspection standards set by the Philippines.
The German firms are allowed to export beef, pork and poultry products, including chicken and turkey, to the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the meat establishments from Brazil are authorized to export beef, pork, chicken, duck and turkey meat.
Poland had 12 meat companies accredited by the DA, with six designated for pork and six for beef, allowing them to export hog and cattle meat to the Philippines.
The department also granted accreditation to the meat companies in Hungary to export pork and poultry meat, including chicken, duck and geese, to the country.
The three accredited Hungarian meat establishments are MCS Voghid ZRT Pecsi Hutahoza and Kometa 99 ZRT, which exports frozen swine carcasses, hams, shoulders and other cuts, and Jeg-Sziget Hutahaz KFT, exporter of pork, chicken, duck and geese.
The accreditation granted to Brazil, Hungary, Germany and Poland will expire in February 2027.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said these foreign meat exporters must fully comply with existing regulations and conditions provided in the orders.