FB MINEX FB MINEX FB MINEX Twitter Minex ISSUU Minex Press Reader Minex YouTube Minex

Friday, July 24, 2020

Govt. tells online meat sellers to get permits, bartering to pay taxes

FOLLOWING THE proliferation of online selling of meat, the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) has issued guidelines on online selling and house delivery of meat.


NMIS advised the public that online meat sellers should register with the Department of Trade and Industry, and duly licensed by the Business Permit and Licensing Office as Meat Vendor(On-line), through the Office of the City Veterinarian and to ensure that the meat is safe and fit for human consumption.

It said meat must be sourced from NMIS licensed meat establishment or locally registered meat, or in case of imported meat, from Department of Agriculture-accredited country or foreign meat establishment, and accredited cold storage warehouse.

NMIS said meat being sold online should be accompanied by a Meat Inspection Certificate or Certificate of Meat Inspection, and those without these certificates shall be considered as “hot meat” and is subject to confiscation.

It added that meat should be transported and handled properly or following the guidelines of the Department of Agriculture to keep its freshness and avoid spoilage.

And for chilled meat, it must be cold to the touch, while frozen meat must be rock solid, and in case of imported meat, its frozen state must be maintained at all times, until such time that it will be cooked.

The Office of the City Veterinarian said it will strictly adopt the NMIS guidelines and urged online sellers of meat to comply with it.

The Department of Trade and Industry also warned those engaged in online barter of goods, saying this is subject to regulation and must be registered and subject to tax if being done in the course of trade or business.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said personal transactions not in the course of trade and business are not covered by registration requirements.

Bartering system in social media networks such as Facebook has seen a spike since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic in March after residents stayed at home due to the strict quarantine guidelines. They resorted to bartering various items - from used and brand new clothes to plants in exchange for groceries or provisions or other personal items.

And President Rodrigo Duterte - who is supporting the age-old barter system in the South - also issued Executive Order 64 in October 2018 which prescribed barter trade in Siasi and Jolo towns in Sulu province, and Bongao town in Tawi-Tawi province under the supervision of a new Mindanao Barter Council. (Zamboanga Post)



Like Us on Facebook: The Mindanao Examiner
Like Us on Facebook: The Zamboanga Post
Follow Us on Twitter: Mindanao Examine
Mirror Site: Mindanao Examiner Blog
Digital Archives: Mindanao Examiner Digital
Media Rates: Advertising Rates


No comments:

Post a Comment