Spearheading Animal Welfare Training in the Philippines

GenOSI, Inc. is one of the leading food processing firms in the Philippines. It is a major lettuce shredder supplier and the exclusive supplier of beef and chicken patties, chicken nuggets, breaded fish portions, beef sausage and spaghetti meat sauce for McDonald's Philippines. GenOSI recently demonstrated its leadership in the industry by working with the Philippines' National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) to improve animal welfare in the country’s meat production chain. GenOSI not only helped to fast-track the nationwide implementation of Republic Act No. 8485, otherwise known as the Animal Welfare Act of 1998 and Department of Agriculture-Administrative Order No.18 Series of 2008, but it also conducted a series of training sessions on animal welfare standards for the NMIS.

Dr. Minda S. Manantan, NMIS Deputy Executive Director, Dr. Clarita Sangcal, Plant Operation Inspection Division Head, and a number of food animal welfare officers attended the training held in October 2010. The main topics discussed were animal welfare laws and regulations, the core criteria for poultry welfare audits, minimum standards for global animal welfare (including cattle, pork and poultry), animal welfare checklists, and animal welfare defects and best practices. Following the in-class training, animal welfare audits were conducted in two locations in the Philippines: The San Miguel Food Poultry Processing factory in Bataan and the Rublou Hog Slaughterhouse in Muntinlupa City. During the audits, meat inspectors were tasked to spot the different animal welfare defects (bruised thighs/drums, broken wings, stunning efficacy, etc.). Samples with defects were collected, and noted defects were discussed. Pictures of defects were also taken for inclusion in an animal welfare defect reference guide. This effort resulted in 30 food animal welfare officers being trained.

In July 2011, GenOSI held additional training sessions for 26 food animal welfare officers and meat inspectors in Visayas and Mindanao. The company also shared its insights at the Animal Welfare Advocacy Meeting attended by members from the meat industry and local government representatives. Thanks to GenOSI‘s efforts, animal welfare audits will now be included in all future accreditations for cattle, hog and poultry slaughterhouses in the country.