Ma. Elizabeth D. Callanta, National Meat Inspection Service export coordinator for Singapore, said the agency is helping to coordinate the visit of the Singaporean pork industry delegation in Mindanao, reports Sun Star.

"The looming visit of the Singaporeans was in response to the recent trade mission there spearheaded by Matutum Meat Packing Corp. Singapore and the Philippines were already done with the regulatory aspects and efforts now are geared towards actual shipment (to that foreign country)," she said.

Matutum Meat, which is based in Polomolok, South Cotabato, was cleared late last month by the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore to export cut pork meat products there.

Callanta said the company, which the Singaporean traders will be visiting, was given a "Triple A" accreditation status by the NMIS, meaning it has complied with the necessary requisites set forth by the National Government.

Matutum Meat, based in nearby Polomolok in South Cotabato province, was one of two Mindanao firms earlier identified by the Department of Agriculture (DA) to pioneer the country's foray in the foreign pork market. The other one is the Davao City-based Nenita's Quality Foods Corp.

Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap has originally targeted the nation's foreign pork shipment to take place in July 2007 after announcing the development earlier in the year.

Matutum Meat officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Thursday for the date of the pilot pork shipment, as Callanta said that the company is arranging such with the Singaporean buyers.

Callanta earlier said that Nenita's application to export pork meat products to Singapore has not yet been approved, as there are corrective actions that need to be done for its facilities.

"Also, there are changes in the management of Nenita's. But we have not withdrawn its bid for accreditation," said Callanta, without elaborating.

Mindanao has been chosen by the National Government to initiate the country's pork export since the island has been certified as free from the foot-and-mouth disease, the recognition coming from the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) or World Organization for Animal Health.

View the Sun Star story by clicking here.