DA reconstitutes body for FME accreditation

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has announced the reconstitution of two interagency bodies to fast-track the accreditation of foreign meat establishments (FMEs) that are allowed to export meat products to the country.

S enior Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban issued twin Special Orders (SO) that reformed the Pre-Inspection Committee (PIC) and the Accreditation Review Body (ARB) for FME accreditation.

In the exigency of the service and in view of the change of leadership in the different offices of the DA and with the need to fast-track the processing of the application of foreign countries for accreditation of their meat establishment the DA PIC for FME Accreditation,” Panganiban said in SO 161 series of 2023.

The PIC, which will be chaired by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director, is tasked to plan and prepare the DA Inspection Missions (DAIM) that would conduct the physical inspections of the FMEs to be accredited in their respective countries.

T he PIC shall also draft the guidelines for the identification and training of FME inspectors, official procedures for inspection, and reportorial requirements, among others. The body shall submit regular progress reports to the Agriculture Secretary. Jasper Emmanuel Y. Arcalas