Philippine Veterinary Medical Association

Last July 31, 2009, the PVMA Council on Biologics and Therapeutics in cooperation with Philippine College of Veterinary Public Health held the 1st PVMA Industry Round Table Discussion on “Government Programs on Drug Residues in Meat, Poultry, Milk and Marine Products” at NMIS conference hall, The activity was attended by representatives from government agencies, academe, hog, poultry, and fish producers, feed manufacturers, drug manufacturers and distributors, meat importers, non-government organization, and veterinarians.

Rationale of 1st PVMA Industry Round Table Discussion

FOOD SAFETY – Ensuring the safety of food is the responsibility of everyone involved in the production of meat, poultry and marine products. This includes the primary production - the way pigs, chickens, fish, milk and eggs are grown and produced - and the handling of the meat and products during and after slaughter or processing. The EU has a striking tag line for food safety “FROM FARM TO FORK” which could be in the Filipino language “MULA BABUYAN, MANUKAN at PALAISDAAN HANGGANG SA PINGGAN NG BAWAT TAHANAN.”
A great Part of food safety is ensuring food products are free from drug residues that could cause problems to those consuming it. Checking for drug residues in meat has lately been heard and talked about more in relation to our preparations so that Philippine pork can be exported to Singapore. However our concern over drug residues should not, and most probably is not, only be linked to our export industry. ALL consumers, local or foreign, deserve the same efforts put in ensuring ALL food products produced and sold locally are safe for consumption. The PVMA Convention theme for next year “ONE WORLD ONE HEALTH” could very well be also be relating to this issue. It is with this reason that the PVMA Council on Biologics and Therapeutics in cooperation with the Philippine College of Veterinary Public Health organized this RTD on the programs of the government in relation to controlling drug residues.
The topics concerning drug residues were presented by the following government agencies and private organization:

“National Codex Organization Technical Committee, Subcommittee on Residues of Veterinary Drugs in Food (SCRVDF)”
Dr. Marvin Vicente
Chairman, Subcommittee SCRVDF

“Philippine Veterinary Drug Residue Control Program”
Dr. Minda Manantan
Deputy Executive Director, National Meat Inspection Services

DA-NMIS Drug Residue Monitoring Program
Ms. Rayne Bigay
Laboratory Services Division, National Meat Inspection Services

“Bureau of Animal Industry’s Programs and Initiatives on Veterinary Drug Residue”
Dr. Rubina Crescencio
Chief, Livestock Development Division, Bureau of Animal Industry

“BFAR National Residues Monitoring Program”
Dr. Simeona Regidor
Fish Health Management and Quality Assurance Section
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

“The Role of National Dairy Authority in the Drug Residue Program”
Ms. Judith Platero
Development Management Officer V, National Dairy Authority

“Philippine Veterinary Drug Industry Responsibilities towards Food Safety”
Dr. Arnold Frontuna
Philippine Veterinary Drug Association

The Philippine Veterinary Medical Association National Officers and Board of Directors congratulated the PVMA Council on Biologics and Therapeutics and Philippine College of Veterinary Public Health for the very successful activity.

( View photos during the 1st Industry Round Table Discussion at the Gallery)