South Korea approved the request in April after finding the Philippines compliant with international safety and regulatory standards. Medium- and large-sized chicken will be included for export; South Korea had previously accepted only small-sized chickens, reports GMA News.

“We did our part. We already have approval from SoKor to bring in our chicken products. Now I am asking the private sector to do their share,” Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala said in an interview over the weekend.

“I think it’s about time that they do the talking. I don’t want [the private sector] thinking that the government always meddles with business affairs of private companies,” said Secretary Alcala.

The poultry producers he was referring to range from big companies such as Bounty Fresh and Magnolia to small to medium poultry raisers under the United Broilers and Raisers Association.

The Philippines is presently one of the few Asian countries that is free of avian influenza. It has also been accredited as a foot-and-mouth disease-free country without vaccination.