Meat imports exceeded PHL commitment to WTO by millions of kilos, group says

The Philippines' pork and chicken imports exceeded the country's commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO) by millions of kilos in 2018.

According to a report by Bernadette Reyes in 24 Oras, data from the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) show that more than 387 million kilos of pork was imported to the Philippines in 2018.

This goes way beyond the 54 million kilo commitment to the WTO.

For chicken, the Philippines has more than 23 million kilo commitment to the WTO, but actual imports reached 310 million kilos.

SINAG chairman and president Rosendo So questioned the large amounts of imports, since local production had increased.

"Nag-increase pa yung local production so hindi natin alam bakit in spite of that eh nagpasok tayo ng ganun kadami," she said.

Poultry farmer Raymond de Asis feared that his business would be shut down because he was no longer earning profits.

"Wala kaming kinikita, lugi talaga, kasi ang production cost nagre-range siya from P75 to P80 per kilo tapos if you are selling at P50 or below per kilo ang laki na agad nawawala sayo P20 per kilo na agad," De Asis said.

The United Broiler Raisers' Association said that the importation of meat in the country should be regulated because its  impact on the prices of raw meat.

"Ang importation kasi ang naapektuhan niyan kami, kasi kaming maliliit na growers we sell our broiler live. Karamihan niyan papunta sa wet market. Pag dumami, tutumal kami bababa ang presyo," said the group's chairman Gregorio San Diego.

The Department of Agriculture will meet with stakeholders to discuss the issues and find solutions, the report said. —Kaela Malig/NB, GMA News