NMIS discusses food safety challenges for the B-SAFE Project
The National Meat Inspection Service participated in the recently conducted virtual interview by Winrock International for the Building Safe Agriculture Food Enterprises (B-SAFE) Project, November 20, 2020. The interview was done to assess the capacity needs of NMIS when it comes on performing its food safety mandates.
The B-SAFE, a project launched by the Winrock International, works with the Government of Philippines to provide agencies with the tools and information needed to implement evidence-based risk analysis, helping the government meet obligations under domestic law and international food safety and trade protocols.
The activity started with the brief introduction of both organizations: NMIS, one of the agencies in charge of food safety and Winrock International, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and partners with communities to develop and implement strategies that boost food production and are resilient in the face of a changing climate. During this part, both key projects and initiatives related to sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and Food Safety and challenges in performing food safety mandates were also discussed.
NMIS Deputy Executive Director Atty. Beata Humilda Obsioma led the agency’s representatives namely Dr. Rona Reyes - Food Safety Focal and head of Meat Standards Development and Consumer Protection Division, Dr. Clarita Sangcal, head of Meat Import and Export Division, Dr. Magdiwang Cruz, head of Accreditation and Registration Division, Dr. January Nones, head of Laboratory Division, Dr. Ma. Elaine Joy Villareal of Plant Operations and Standards Monitoring Division and Ms. Jannilyn Villaflor of Planning and Information Management Division.
They were tasked to discuss key points about food control functions: export, import and domestic trade, inspection services, laboratory services and information, education, communication and training.
The activity is just one part of the B-SAFE project which also aims to improve private sector access to services, information and relationships to access food-safety conscious export and domestic markets
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A follow-up session with Winrock International will be held at a later date to further study the information provided by the NMIS.
Pierre Escobar
