PHILIPPINES: Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo received newly-appointed Philippine Country Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Mr. Lionel Henri Valentin at the Department of Foreign Affairs on 07 February 2023. Mr. Dabbadie assumed his role at FAO on 31 January 2023.

“We consider FAO an important ally in our country’s aim to attain food security and improve nutrition,” said Secretary Manalo. He emphasized how food security is among the country’s top priorities and how it underpins all pillars of the recently launched Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

The Secretary also commended Mr. Dabbadie’s extensive background in aquaculture and fisheries, mentioning the potential of the sector in advancing the country’s food security agenda. Apart from publishing more than 50 scientific and technical publications in aquaculture, Mr. Dabbadie led the development of a program to develop guidelines for sustainable aquaculture.

“There are plenty of opportunities to highlight the Philippines’ expertise in aquaculture,” said Mr. Dabbadie, whose familiarity with the country’s fisheries and aquaculture sector are drawn from his previous collaboration with the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) on various research projects. His work with BFAR precede his stints as Senior Fisheries and Aquaculture Officer of FAO in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) then FAO Philippines Country Representative.

Secretary Manalo urged Mr. Dabbadie to work closely with the rest of the United Nations Country Team as well as all relevant Philippine government agencies to make sure that FAO’s next Country Programming Framework (CPF) supports the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and complements the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The CPF is a blueprint for the development cooperation between the Philippines and FAO just as the UNSDCF guides the engagements between the country and the UN Country Team. These documents identify the specific development areas where FAO and the UN’s support are needed the most.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that focuses on food security and nutrition. The Philippines and FAO share a long history of partnership. The Philippines is a founding member of the organization and has contributed significantly towards shaping the organization’s agenda since 1945. FAO established its country office in the Philippines in 1978 and has since supported the government’s efforts to develop the agriculture sector through technical assistance, capacity building, and policy advice.

Source: https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/dfa-releasesupdate/31764-secretary-manalo-meets-fao-philippine-country-representative, 9 February 2023.

PHILIPPINES: A Japanese government-owned firm Tokushima Auction Market (TAM) is eyeing to develop a 100-hectare mariculture zone in the coastal waters of Ilocos Norte in partnership with the provincial government to boost local employment and harness the province’s fishery production potentials.

In a meeting with provincial officials, Sato Kazuo, senior consultant of Global Trade Venture group, said they plan to employ 25,000 local fishermen after engaging them in a three-month training on aqua farming using Japanese technology. Kazuo, along with fellow consultant Barbara Catapang and Yoshihisa Arai, president, and CEO of the TAM, is visiting the province this week for a signing of a memorandum of agreement for the proposed more than USD1-billion aqua farming development project.

Kazuo said the trading cooperation aims to provide a stable income for the local fishermen as they are collaborating with the state-run Mariano Marcos State University and the provincial government for the establishment of floating cages, office buildings, artificial intelligence center, dormitories, among others.

“We will bring Japanese technology here to grow a variety of fishes like tuna, mahi-mahi, sapsap, and galunggong among others for food processing in Japan,” he said.

Akin to a contract growing system, all the cultured fish will be sold exclusively to the Japanese firm.

Data on fishery resources in the province showed that tilapia and siganids are the major cultured commodities with a total of 1,057 metric tons of production in 2022. Major captured commodities also include round scad, big-eyed scad and yellowfin tuna with a total production of 1,193.63 metric tons in 2022.

Ilocos Norte’s communal bodies of water consist of 1,067 hectares with over 500 hectares suited for the establishment of sea cages. Under the province's investment potential, the aqua farming industry has been recognized as socially acceptable, economically viable and environmentally sustainable in food production.

Source: Philippine News Agency, 23 January 2023

MALAYSIA: AEON won praise today for publishing a comprehensive new animal health and welfare policy that protects the “Five Freedoms” of animals in the company’s supply chain, from egg-laying hens to cows, chickens and fish. The Company is a leading General Merchandise Stores (GMS) and Supermarket chain in Malaysia, with 28 AEON Malls, 34 AEON Stores, 9 MaxValu Prime, 65 AEON Wellness and 42 DAISO and 4 Komai-so across the country.

The Company believes that animal welfare is deeply related to the relationship human beings have with animals and agrees that it is every retailer’s duty to ensure all animals are treated humanely, responsibly, and with respect.

The policy, drafted with the support of international NGO Lever Foundation, will require animal protein suppliers to end the use of cages and crates, limit stocking densities, provide suitable environments as well as meet additional standards set by animal welfare experts. AEON is working closely with its suppliers to ensure the new standards and guidelines are met within the next 12 – 18 months. AEON noted that the new animal health and welfare policy is an essential step towards protecting farm animals in its supply chain, thus meeting the growing expectations of customers who demand higher standards of animal welfare.

“We applaud AEON Malaysia for this new holistic set of standards that will further improve the welfare of egg-laying hens, chickens, cows, fish and other animals in the company’s supply chain,” said Vilosha Sivaraman, Sustainability Program Manager at Lever Foundation, which worked closely with AEON on drafting the policy. “Many food companies in Malaysia are upgrading their animal welfare policies in response to increased consumer interest in more humane, sustainable and safe products, and with its new policy, AEON has established itself as a leader in this area.”

Source: The Business Today, Malaysia. 30 January 2023