DA, DOF open to suggestions on pork importation policy

The Departments of Agriculture (DA) and Finance (DOF) said they are willing to consider proposals on pork imports, after the temporary lowering of tariff rates on the commodity.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said his office is open to suggestions on how to balance the welfare of local farmers on the possible surge of imports.

"Our minds are not closed," he said in during a hearing of the Senate Committee on the Whole on the food security crisis brought about by the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak.

"We want to achieve together your goal of making sure that there is a reasonable and affordable price for pork and other food stuff for our consumers, that our inflation rate is not damaging to our economy in the long run, and definitely that there is support to the pork producing industry," he added.

This comes after President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 128, which lowers the tariff rate for imported pork meat within the minimum access volume (MAV).

The measure provides that fresh, chilled, or frozen pork imports are taxed 5% for the first three months upon effectivity and 10% for the fourth to 12 months. Prior to this, tariffs were set at 30% to 40%.

Earlier during the hearing, Dominguez said the measure is a "painful solution" as government revenues will drop by P13.68 billion, but it will save consumers some P67.38 billion.

"I try not to be stupid. Sometimes I am, but I try not to be stupid and I will definitely listen to a proposal to move ahead on this issue," he said.

Aside from lower tariffs, Duterte also endorsed to Congress the increase of the MAV for pork to 350,000 metric tons (MT) from the current 54,000 MT, as proposed by the DA.

Several stakeholders denounced the measure, saying it would be detrimental to the local industry, which is already reeling from the impact of ASF.

For his part, Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the agency is also open to different proposals.

"Ako ganon din ang aking position, hindi closed ang aming isipan," he said in the same Senate probe.

"Gusto nating tumulong sa lahat maski na sa mga hog raisers at 'yung pakay po natin ay I think parehas naman so ako po ay parte ng economic development cluster at susunod po ako kung anong desisyon," he added.

(I am in the same position, our minds are not closed. We want to help all even the hog raisers, and our goal I think is the same. I am part of the economic development cluster and I will follow whatever decision.)

The hearing was suspended on Monday afternoon for an exclusive caucus in hopes of coming up with a compromise on pork importation. — BM, GMA News