The Department of Agriculture (DA) has thrown its support behind the call of hog raisers to raise tariffs on cheaper pork imports, which have caused farmgate prices to decline sharply.
The agency made the pronouncement after the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) pushed to reinstate original tariffs on pork imports at 30 percent in-quota and 40 percent out-quota, as well as temporarily suspend shipments for 120 days.
‘I’m on the side of Filipino hog raisers. We will do whatever is in our power to provide the swine industry immediate relief,’ Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
Earlier, the DA chief said that ‘once we are legally allowed,’ the DA would suspend the issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs), likely by mid-November, to halt imports of selected pork cuts through January next year.
The agency plans to bar the entry of pork belly, pork cuts, whole pig, as well as pork jowls into the country.
The DA chief said his agency would assess meat processors’ requirements and consider import exemptions where warranted.
‘While the DA and SINAG differ on the proposed duration of import restrictions, both are pressing for stronger measures to shield local hog producers from import competition.’
The agency noted that it does not have the power to adjust tariffs. Any tweaks would require action from the Tariff Commission (TC) and other government agencies, thus limiting its ability to deliver immediate relief through higher import duties.
Lower pork tariffs were introduced in 2021 under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte to address supply shortages after African swine fever (ASF) crimped output.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. later extended the reduced rates through Executive Order (EO) 62, which set tariffs at 15 percent for in-quota shipments and 25 percent for out-of-quota imports through 2028.
Meanwhile, the DA said it is also pursuing a general safeguard measures investigation into rising pork imports that may result in a longer import ban.
‘The push for tighter import controls comes as declining farmgate prices threaten the viability of backyard and commercial hog operations.’