DA hit for poultry imports as local chicken farmers struggle

A group of chicken farmers has criticized the Department of Agriculture (DA) for continuing to allow the importation of poultry products which has affected the local farmers' livelihood.

United Broilers and Raisers Association (UBRA) President Attorney Jose Elias Inciong lamented that the DA allegedly failed to support the local chicken producers.

"Diretsahan na tayo, wala, (Let me be frank, the DA is not helping us.)" said Inciong over Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday after he was asked if the DA has been helping them with the chicken production.

"Napipinsala po kami, baboy man yan, o manok kapag tinutulungan ang importasyon ng baboy, apektado lahat yan," Inciong further said.

(We are struggling, even if it is pork or chicken, if you help imported producers, local producers will be affected.)

According to him, imported poultry products from America, Europe and Canada  are cheaper because they are being subsidized by their government's agriculture system. He lamented that in the Philippines, local chicken farmers are not supported by the DA.

Filipino farmers are also competing not only with imported products but also with the Philippine government, Inciong added.

"Tayo dito ang kalaban namin yung nag-aalaga ng manok don, yung gobyerno nila at paminsan talaga yung gobyerno natin kalaban na rin namin dahil binababaan pa nila yung taripa minsan, kaya ho wala tayong magagawa dyan eh," he pointed out.

[We are competing against the imported chicken products and their government. But we are also competing with our own government because they are decreasing tariff rates, so we have nothing to do about that.]

“Nalulugi na ang chicken farmers dahil malaki ang binababa ng farm gate prices dahil sa pagdating ng importasyon,” he added.

[Chicken farmers are struggling because of lowered farmgate prices due to importation.]

GMA News Online sought reaction from DA about the UBRA's statements but has yet to receive a reply as of posting.

Senator Francis Pangilinan has urged that pork tariffs rates be reverted to original 20% to 30% levels as pork prices remained high even as lower tariffs were imposed on imports.

He also lamented that the tariff rates made hog raisers suffer. —Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News