BACOLOD CITY, June 12 -- Exporters and provincial government officials in Negros Occidental have raised serious concerns about the United States' suspension on the importation of crab meat products from the Philippines.

On Friday, the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (PhilExport) Negros Chapter issued a statement, saying the ban, effective June 11, could threaten the livelihood of thousands of workers and fishing communities across the country.

"We call for the immediate engagement between Philippine and US authorities to clarify and resolve the issues that led to the suspension," they said.

The PhilExport Negros Chapter's statement came after a meeting on June 10 here with PhilExport Inc. national trustee Diana Santos, attende...