17 solons seek termination of EO lowering pork import tariffs

Seventeen lawmakers from the House of Representatives filed a joint resolution on Wednesday calling for the termination of President Rodrigo Duterte's Executive Order No. 128, which reduces the tariff rate for pork imports.

The resolution was filed by Representatives Carlos Isagani Zarate, Rose Marie Arenas, Jose Christopher Belmonte, Arlene Brosas, Argel Joseph Cabatbat, France Castro, Eufemia Cullamat, Lorenz Defensor, Sarah Elago, Edgar Erice, Ferdinand Gaite, Janette Garin, Rico Geron, Jonathan Keith Flores, Edcel Lagman, Geraldine Roman, and Noel Villanueva.

The lawmakers said tariff reduction, as well as the increased minimum access volume of pork imports, would further decimate the local pork industry and it would also undermine the local production and the country's food security.

"It is not an assurance that reduced tariffs and increased importation will stabilize or reduce the current high prices of pork meat products which has become unfairly exorbitant for consumers," the resolution stated.

"The government must heed the urgent demands and sincere appeal of hog raisers, producers and farmers against tariff reduction and MAV expansion of pork imports," it added.

The lawmakers said Duterte's order would only create an irreparable damage to the country's pork industry and to the entire agriculture sector.

Duterte's EO 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.

On the other hand, tariff rates for imported meat outside of the MAV have 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, the EO stated.

Some senators have already called for the revocation of this order. — BM, GMA News