THE Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) has unveiled the list of non-tariff measures imposed by the European Union that Philippine agriculture exporters must comply with even with a EU-Philippines Free Trade Agreement (EU-PH FTA) in place.
In a Viber message sent to the BusinessMirror, DTI-EMB Director Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte underscored: ‘Even with a future EU-Philippines FTA, these NTMs will remain in place because they protect health and safety.’
However, she noted that the FTA can ‘ease compliance by eliminating tariffs, fostering regulatory cooperation, and enabling recognition of Philippine certifications-helping exporters reduce costs and speed up market access.’
To access the EU market, Sykimte said Philippine agriculture exporters to the 27-member bloc must comply with these NTMs:
Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) requirements such as: Phytosanitary and veterinary certificates, inspections for pests and diseases, pesticide residue limits, quarantine checks and health certifications.
Meanwhile, the ‘Technical Barriers to Trade [TBT]’ that Philippine exporters would have to comply with are: Accurate labeling, proper packaging, compliance with product standards and ‘robust’ traceability systems.
Sykimte revealed these non-tariff measures after the Tariff Commission held last week the Public Consultation on Philippine Participation in the Philippines-European Union (PH-EU FTA).
In the consultation, Philippine agriculture groups expressed concern on the non-tariff measures that may prevent exporters from utilizing the free trade deal with EU, given the 27-member bloc’s stringent requirements.
Imelda J. Madarang, CEO of Fisherfarms Inc., an aquaculture processor and a pioneer innovation of farm-raised seafood products in the Philippines, pressed DTI on whether the agency is monitoring the non-tariff measures which the local industry is currently experiencing.
‘We’re very happy that we are still with the GSP [EU GSP+], although we are a little bit afraid that we might graduate but again, we have to be prepared for that. But at the moment, we’re very happy. As far as tariff is concerned. I was just wondering if you are also focusing or really monitoring the non-tariff measures which we are actually experiencing, because it’s very, very steep,’ Madarang, who also chairs the Philippine Export Development Council-Networking Committee on Agri-Policy (NCAP) said during the hearing.
‘We are just wondering because these were the issues raised by the industry, but we didn’t know where to go-whether it’s the Tariff Commission or somewhere else because it’s really, really steep,’ added the representative from the aquaculture industry.
The industry representative aired the concern during the tariff hearing as she shared that Indonesia and India complained at the Shrimp Global Forum about the new regulations being imposed by the 27-member bloc European Union.
‘It says that all animal-based food products will be covered, and that will include us. I suppose they are now requiring a list of antibiotics that we do not use. And again, a guarantee from the Philippine government or from the governments about the compliance and the control system which is very, very steep,’ Madarang explained.
She also cited issues on packaging certifications, ingredients in terms of color, additives, among others.
Through the lens of the local sugar industry, Philippine Sugar Millers Association (PSMA) executive director Jesus ‘Cocoy’ Barrera said during the hearing: ‘I echo the statement of Ms. Madarang regarding the availability of NTMs being imposed by the EU, particularly in agricultural imports.’
Barrera underscored that since the negotiation focuses on tariffs, ‘We may get market access, or we may appear to get market access because of the reduced tariff, the presence of NTMs may prevent us from having that market access.’
Data obtained by the BusinessMirror from DTI-EMB showed that the top Philippine food exports to EU in 2024 were: Coconut (copra), coconut oil and its fractions, prepared or preserved fish, caviar and caviar substitutes prepared from fish eggs; Desiccated coconuts; Fruit, nuts and other edible parts of plants, otherwise prepared or preserved; Bread, pastry, cakes, biscuits and other bakers’ wares; Pineapple juice; Flours, meals and pellets of meat or meat offal, of fish or of crustaceans, molluscs or other aquatic invertebrates.
The top 10 food exports of the Philippines to the EU amounted to $1.45 billion in 2024.