Imported pork prices to decrease by 23% in proposed amendments to EO on pork tariffs

The price of imported pork is expected to decrease by 23% with the latest proposed amendments to the executive order reducing pork tariffs.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are still calculating the suggested retail price of imported pork based on the final tariffs.

The calculation will be based on the agreement between the country’s economic managers and senators who previously objected to the low tariffs set in the President’s Executive Order 128 due to concerns raised by local hog raisers. Under the EO, the tariffs for imported pork were to range from 5 to 20%.

Under the agreement between senators and economic managers, the tariff on pork imports under minimum access volume (MAV) will be reduced to 10% for the first three months and to 15% in the next nine months. For pork imports outside MAV, the tariff will be reduced to 20% for the first three months, and to 25% in the succeeding months. Additionally, the MAV on pork will be increased to 254,000 metric tons.

The reduction in the tariff on imported pork is meant to address the shortage in the country’s pork supply due to African Swine Fever. (ASF)

Dar also addressed complaints that the DA was slow to protect the local hog industry from ASF, stating that the DA has been continuously strengthening efforts to prevent the entry of tainted pork through the Bureau of Animal Industry and Bureau of Customs by checking cargo manifests, inspecting the shipments, and conducting spot tests for ASF.

“As long as the pork was legally imported, the virus will not be able to enter the country. However, problems may arise with smuggling since the country has porous borders, so items could pass through without being properly checked,” said Dar.

SOURCE: Inquirer