Farmers Groups Consider Legal Challenge Against Rice Import Tariff Cut

Farm sector groups announced on Saturday that they are preparing to challenge the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board’s decision to reduce tariff rates on imported rice. The decision, approved by the NEDA Board, cuts the tariff rate on imported rice to 15% for both in-quota and out-quota rates until 2028.

Potential Legal Action

In an interview on Dobol B sa GTV, Federation of Free Farmers Chairman Leonardo Montemayor revealed that agriculture groups are contemplating seeking a legal remedy, such as a temporary restraining order (TRO), if President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. issues an Executive Order implementing the tariff cuts. The groups are scheduled to decide on their course of action on Sunday, June 9.

“Malaking dagok po sa amin ‘yan,” Montemayor stated. “Ang direktang makikinabang dito ay importers… Tariff cuts do not solve the problem.”

Broader Tariff Reductions

Alongside the rice tariff reduction, the NEDA Board also approved maintaining reduced tariff rates on corn, pork, and mechanically deboned meat until 2028 under Executive Order No. 50, series of 2023.

Unified Opposition

Several farm sector groups, including the Federation of Free Farmers, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, and the Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines, are expected to announce their collective response to the tariff cuts on Sunday.

These groups argue that the tariff reductions will primarily benefit importers and fail to address the underlying issues within the agricultural sector.