Bangkok wants PHL to buy more Thai rice

The world’s largest trader and producers of rice, Thailand, wants the Philippines to buy more rice – 500,000 metric tons from 350,000 MT – under the minimum access or MAV scheme if Manila wants to enjoy its quantitative restrictions (QR) on the commodity.   QR is the policy – sanctioned by the World Trade Organization (WTO) – that keeps Philippines safe from turning into a dumping ground for cheap imported rice and placing Filipino farmers at a disadvantage.   "Thailand is asking for 500,000 metric tons rice exportation to the Philippines” National Food Authority (NFA) legal counsel Gilbert Lauengco said in an interview with reporters Wednesday.   “This is quite big but we are willing to discuss this with them," Lauengco added.   The Philippine government is still in talks with other countries on their "wish list" in exchange for the QR status, Lauengco noted.   Manila wants to extend its QR on rice – which expired last June – for three years or until 2015, and has filed a request with the WTO on Nov. 18, 2011.   During negotiations with its trading partners, the Philippines agreed to increase its MAV for rice to 350,000 MT as a concession to extend the QR until this year. MAV refers volume of farm produce the Philippines will allow to enter its market at reduced tariffs.   Manila wants the QR on rice in place until 2015 as part of preparations for Filipino farmers ahead of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) single market that same year and on its way to achieving rice self-sufficiency next year.     China, Vietnam, India, El Salvador, and Pakistan are also asking for a higher volume of rice export to the Philippines, but not as big as that of Thailand, according to the NFA.   US, Australia and Canada already conveyed to Manila they will only allow the QR policy for the Philippines as long as Manila agrees to take down certain restrictions on several commodities that they export to the Southeast Asian country.   "Unlike the rest… US and Australia are not asking for any rice concessions. They only seek the relaxation of rules on certain products that they export to the Philippines. Canada is also asking for similar concessions," said Lauengco.   Last April, the US Trade Representative cited the new Philippine meat inspection system "imposes very high standards on the handling of frozen meat, which is primarily imported, that do not apply to the handling of freshly slaughtered meat, which is exclusively domestic."   Washington is also concerned by "trade disruptive test and hold policies" Philippines authorities enforce before the Bureau of Customs issues a clearance for imported products to enter Philippine ports. — VS, GMA News