Duterte OKs higher volume of pork imports
Brace for more imported pork products in the country.
After declaring a state of calamity over the African Swine Fever outbreak, President Duterte has approved the higher import quota for pork products to help ensure adequate and affordable food in the country.
The President issued Executive Order No. 133 raising the minimum access volume (MAV) for pork meat to 254,210 metric tons this year to augment pork supply and stabilize prices, from the current 54,210 metric tons.
The import volume for pork products, approved by the President, will be lower than the Department of Agriculture's original proposal of 404,210 metric tons following concerns raised by senators. The proposed MAV allocation was later trimmed down to 350,000 MT but Congress did not act on the President's proposal.
The latest directive came shortly after the President declared a state of calamity across the country due to the African Swine Fever outbreak that affected the local hog industry and caused the spike in pork prices.
"The MAV of pork meat for the MAV Year 2021 of 54,210 MT is hereby increased to 254,210 MT, provided that any unavailable balance at the end of 2021 shall not be carried over to 2022," the order read.
"It is imperative to immediately address the current supply gap in pork meat, to provide consumers with adequate and affordable food, and to lower inflation," it added.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, in a televised press briefing Tuesday, May 11, said the President's latest directive on MAV is part of the "compromise" forged by the Executive branch with the Senate.
President Duterte signs Executive Order No. 133 raising minimum access volume for pork products to 254,210 metric tons | via @GenKabiling pic.twitter.com/lowPivWYjc
— Manila Bulletin News (@manilabulletin) May 11, 2021
In the same order, the President directed the MAV Management Committee to ensure the allocation of the volume importation would be "fair and open" to all qualified importers of pork meat. The importation must also be carried out in accordance with the rules and regulations for the implementation of the agricultural MAVs, and other pertinent laws.
The order, signed by the President on May 10, 2021, takes effect upon publication in the Official Gazette or newspaper.
Last month, the President issued EO 128 lowering the import tariff for fresh, chilled, or frozen pork at 5 percent for the first three months under the minimum access volume (MAV) quota, 10 percent for the 4th to 12th month. After 12 months, it will return to the 30 percent tariff rate.
The rates for pork imports beyond the quota will be reduced by 15 percent for the first three months, 20 percent for the 4th to 12 months. The rate will be back to 40 percent after a year.
The Palace said the President asked senators to give the EO on the temporary tariff cut on pork imports a chance and offered to revisit the directive in two months. Several lawmakers earlier expressed concern that such order might further harm the local hog industry, which is already reeling from the impact of the ASF outbreak.
Earlier, the President said he was open to recalling the EO once the country's domestic supply of pork products stabilizes.