DA imposes 60-day quantitative restriction on pork imports

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has authorized a 60-day quantitative restriction on the importation of selected pork cuts as the influx of imported meat has damaged the local hog industry.

The policy was issued following an investigation into the preliminary safeguard measures on pork imports.

According to Department Order No. 33, the domestic swine industry has suffered “serious injury” due to the increased imports.

“Increased imports translated into significantly higher market share and significantly declining self-sufficiency ratio during the POI (period of investigation) that crowded out local production of the years,” the document read.

The latest department order covers carcasses, hams, shoulders, and livers.

While the Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines, Inc. (ProPork) welcomed the importation ban, the group felt that the 60-day period is “too short.”

For his part, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said there’s a possibility that the quantitative restriction period can be further extended. —AOL, GMA News