THE Export Marketing Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently collaborated with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) Australia in conducting a seminar to educate Filipino exporters on the rudiments of exporting food products to Australia.
The seminar opened with the introduction of the incoming Commercial Consul to be assigned to the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Sydney, Alma F. Argayoso.
DTI-EMB Director Senen M. Perlada took the floor to give an overview of the Philippines-Australia trade relations and the opportunities that await Filipino exporters in the Australian food sector.
Mark Phythian, director of the Imported Food Section of DAWR Australia, served as the main speaker for the event. His discussion covered topics on Australian food regulatory system, border requirements and food standards. “Food products imported to Australia must comply with the general standards for food, such as food labeling; the food compositional requirements for permitted ingredients and additives; the maximum residue limits for agricultural and veterinary chemicals; the maximum limits for metals and contaminants; the microbiological limits; commodity standards; and the standards for hygienic food production and processing as prescribed by the Food Standards Code,” Phythian said.
The visiting expert also explained that when a food product is found to be noncompliant with a standard or poses a risk to human health, certain measures can be taken by the Australian importer. The product may be treated to bring into compliance, exported back to country of origin, destroyed or if permitted, downgraded to animal feed.
An orientation on the existing regulations on food exports and imports, as well as the food quality and safety services in the Philippines, were ensued from Phythian’s presentation.
Mr. Joselito L. Antioquia of the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), Dr. Adela Contreras of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Dr. Cheryl Rose B. Cayad-an of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), Ms. Mary Joy Paulin of the Food and Drug Administration Philippines and Ms. Carmelita Alkuino of the Food Development Center fostered a holistic learning experience for the exporters in attendance. Australia is a market with strict import requirements and over the years, a number of food exporters from the Philippines have been found noncompliant with its import conditions. The seminar was part of the efforts of the DTI-EMB to address the challenge and facilitate successful business deals with Australian buyers.