The Provincial Veterinary Office formed a task force that will inspect and monitor imported meat and meat products distributed in Negros Occidental due to their high influx that puts the local meat production at stake, Dr. Renante Decena, provincial veterinarian, said yesterday.

Decena said about 10 tons of imported meat and meat products that pass through Cebu International Airport are distributed in the province every month and this has caused the provincial government to worry.

It will also put the locally slaughtered meat at disadvantage because of the overflowing supply compounded by low demand, causing prices to drop, Decena also said.

He said all meat products coming in from other provinces and the imported ones will have to comply with the local laws.

“My requirement for all meat distributors and dealers is comply with the law. They must have the meat van, the freezer, and the handling of meat must maintain the temperature at 6 to 10 degrees to prevent bacterial effect,” Decena said.

He also said that the National Meat Inspection Service in Cebu will forward the shipping permit to the PVO if they intend to distribute in the province.

NMIS Region VII Dir. Dr. Romeo Capa also waived their representation to the PVO in terms of meat van accreditation and meat handling provided that their operation is within Negros Occidental, Decena said.

Decena heads the task force with Dr. Placeda Lamana, chief of animal health division; Marlyn Alabia, deputized quarantine inspector, Rex Juplo of Bacolod City Veterinary Office, and a representative from NMIS-VI as members.*LTG

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