A leading farmers’ group yesterday urged the government to take swift action on raising rice import tariffs, warning that it would stage protests if officials continue to delay.
Raul Montemayor, national manager of the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), said the tariff hike should take effect immediately instead of waiting for the rice import ban to be lifted, which could be extended for another 30 days or even until year-end.
‘It should not be done at the end of the import ban. It should be as soon as possible,’ Montemayor said during a phone interview with The STAR.
He added that local rice prices are already dropping because traders anticipate cheaper imports once the ban is lifted.
Montemayor also said taking action while farmers are still harvesting would help stabilize the market and prevent further losses.
‘It has to be done now when the farmers are still harvesting, so that the rice prices will be influenced. Otherwise, it’s too late,’ Montemayor said.
‘We cannot understand what they are still studying. Why are they studying for so long? It’s very clear that the price of rice is going down,’ he added.
The FFF is also threatening to hold demonstrations as early as next week to pressure the government, citing a lack of pressing need in addressing falling rice prices.
‘It’s already urgent. There’s no sense of urgency between the (Department of Agriculture) and the government. They can see that the farmers are already harvesting,’ Montemayor said.
Late last month, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said the review of rice tariffs is being conducted in consultation with Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go.
He added the government is considering tariff levels of 20 percent, 25 percent or 35 percent.
Last year, rice import tariffs were cut to 15 percent from 35 percent, prompting concerns among local farmers about declining domestic prices.