DA still undecided on safeguard duties to protect farmers from rice tariffication

Despite the adverse impact to local farmers of the removal of quantitative restrictions on rice importation, the Department of Agriculture has not yet decided on whether to impose safeguard duties on imported rice to protect local farmers.

Unlimited importation of rice under the Rice Tariffication Act has driven down farm-gate prices of palay, dealing the agriculture sector a blow.

Last month, the DA initiated an investigation into the matter and was expected to announce its decision on Friday, October 11.

“Pag-uusapan pa ng economic development managers,” Agriculture Secretary William Dar said referring to the results of the investigation.

Asked if the delay would have detrimental effects, Dar replied, “Wala naman. We will, we are still in the process of highlighting and mentioning, I mean, discussing this with the economic managers.”

In the meantime, the DA has authorized the National Food Authority to release to the market 3.4 million bags of rice.

“That’s continuing. And they will be giving us the report by this weekend,” Dar said, adding that non-tariff measures may also be considered.

“Puwede nga pupuntahan ‘yung stocks from a point of origin, looking at if there are issues of sanitary and phytosanitary services,” Dar added.

Dar is set to meet with the Duterte administration’s economic managers on October 24. —LBG/VDS, GMA News