Dar says lowering tariffs on pork imports 'win-win' for all

The recently approved reduction on the tariff rates of imported pork is a move that will benefit all Filipinos as this will eventually lower the retail price of pork in the market, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said Friday.

“With these lowering of tariff and the ongoing repopulation program, we believe every stakeholder, including the citizenry, in terms of affordable prices ay win-win lahat ito" (this is a win-win deal for all),” Dar said during state-run PTV’s Laging Handa briefing.

On Wednesday, President Rodrigo Duterte issued the Executive Order 128, which reduced the tariff rate for imported pork within quota or minimum access volume (MAV)—whether fresh, chilled or frozen— to 5% for the first three months upon the EO’s effectivity and 10% for the fourth to 12th month. 

However, tariff rates for imported meat outside of the MAV has been set to 15% for the first three months upon the EO’s effectivity and 20% for the fourth to the 12th month.

The existing 30% to 40% tariff rate for imported pork will be restored after the 12th month.

Dar said the reduction in pork import tariff rates aims to immediately address supply deficiencies and eventually influence market prices to go down.

Likewise, the Agriculture chief said the Department of Agriculture is imposing a suggested retail price (SRP)  for imported pork. 

Effective April 9, the following are the SRP for imported pork:

• Kasim - P270/kilo
• Liempo - P350/kilo

Senators, however, expressed disappointment over the reduction in tariff rates, fearing it would pose a negative impact on the local hog industry. 

Dar said the DA’s repopulation program is ongoing to help revive the local industry decimated by the African swine fever (ASF) crisis.

He said the DA is implementing a P600-million swine repopulation program, which will focus initially on previously affected areas that are no longer under quarantine and now classified as “pink” and “yellow” zones. 

Further, he said, the DA-Agricultural Credit and Policy Council (ACPC) is extending a P500-million credit program for backyard raisers, which has zero interest and is payable in five years.

“Pangatlong parte ay may loans sa Landbank nakalaan na ang P15 billion, at sa Development Bank of the Philippines na ang P12 billion. So, a total of P27 billion na pwede i-access ng commercial hog raisers,” Dar said. 

(The third part of the program are loans from the Landbank amounting to P15 billion and Development Bank of the Philippines worth 12 billion. So, a total of P27 billion can be accessed by hog raisers). 

He added that the DA through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) will provide free insurance premium to backyard raisers listed under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA), and subsidized premium for commercial raisers. —LBG, GMA News