DA plans to revise pork import rules by Oct to lower tariffs, stabilize prices

The Department of Agriculture (DA) plans to revise and improve the 1996 rules governing the importation of pork with lower tariffs, citing alleged exploitation by importers.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. stated that the DA's Policy and Planning Office will reformulate the minimum access volume (MAV) mechanism for pork by October this year.

Currently, 47 out of 130 quota holders account for 80% of the total MAV allocation while only 22 of those hold about 70% of that volume, leading to inflated import volumes and not benefiting consumers with reduced tariffs.

The DA is considering increasing allocation to meat processors to 40,000 metric tons and setting aside an additional 15,000 metric tons for Food Terminals Inc. to stabilize pork prices in case of price increases.

To control retail pork prices, the DA has implemented a maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) of P380 per kilo for liempo, P350 for pigue and kasim, and P300 for fresh carcass.