Farmers call for 35% rice tariff, demand Balisacan resignation

AN AGRICULTURAL coalition renewed calls for the restoration of the 35% rice import tariff and sought the resignation of Economy Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, claiming that his policies have "benefited no one."

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The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said in a statement on Tuesday that the reduction of rice import tariffs from 35% to 15% under Executive Order No. 62 caused rice imports to increase, putting pressure on farmgate prices offered to farmers for domestically grown palay (unmilled rice).

At the same time, the low palay prices have not been accompanied by a corresponding decline in retail rice prices.