The Department of Agriculture said today that because of the effort exerted by the Department and its National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) in implementing the standards for animal slaughter, mandatory good manufacturing practices, hazard analysis critical control point and humane handling of animals for slaughter, the country is able to export livestock products to several countries.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said, besides exporting chicken yakitori and peking duck to Japan, the Philippines also exports halal beef to Brunei, fresh and frozen halal chicken to the United Arab Emirates,crocodile meat to Slovak Republic and frozen chicken to South Korea.

"Let us protect our gains.  We should also maximize our being foot and mouth disease free (FMD) without vaccination and avian flu free status," Alcala said.

The Secretary said that we should also expand our export market and continue implementing strict standards for our meat that comply with the export destination requirements and global standards.

He added, the DA will continue to strictly monitor local markets to ensure that the meat our countrymen will have on their table is safe.

"Palalawakin din po natin ang kaaalaman tungkol sa ligtas na karne at kung paano po ang tamang paghahanda upang hindi maging banta sa kalusugan ng mga mamamayan," Alcala said.

The DA earlier recognized the important role the NMIS plays in ensuring the health and safety of meat products and also in safeguarding the trade of livestock products as the nation celebrates Meat Safety Consciousness Week.

Alcala said the NMIS will continue in tirelessly performing its regulatory function and will not stop in treading the straight path mandated by President Aquino.

"Kung walang batas o malabo ang batas, mahirap magpatupad.  At kung may batas na hindi po matuwid ang pagpapatupad, hindi din po igagalang ng mga dapat sumunod sa batas," Alcala said.

He added, the implementing rules and regulations of the Food Safety Law is scheduled to be signed next week. (DA-0SEC)