The group noted that Italy accounts for about 70 percent of the annual 150,000-metric ton of imported PAP to manufacture fish feeds. The group said the high protein content of PAP “allows for higher feed conversion and reduces water pollution caused by fish.” “The biggest impact of the ban on imported PAP from Italy is the higher cost of aquaculture feeds. Every P1.00 of additional feed cost roughly translates to over P2.00 per kilo of fish because a fish farmer needs two kilos of feed for a fish to reach one kilo,” the group said. “We understand that the swine industry needs to be protected. But a blanket ban on imported PAP from Italy because of a single ASF-infected wild boar isn’t backed by science. And if there’s no strong scientific basis, why make the aquaculture industry and, consequently, fish consumers suffer?”

Arcalas, J. E. Y. (2022, April 25). DA pressed to lift ban on processed animal protein from Italy. Business Mirror, p. A5.