Agri import barriers eased

Rice retail prices up by P2 per kilo

- ALEXIS ROMERO 

Citing constraints that increase importation costs and limit the supply of farm goods, President Marcos has ordered the removal of non-tariff barriers on the importation of agricultural products and streamlining of administrative procedures to address rising commodity prices.

Non-tariff barriers are policy measures, other than customs tariffs, that restrict trade, including quotas, import licensing systems, regulations and red tape, he said.

Despite existing measures, these barriers and administrative constraints continue to persist, increasing the domestic prices of farm commodities, Marcos noted.

"It is imperative to further streamline administrative procedures to foster transparency and predictability of policies on the importation of agricultural products in order to help ensure food security, maintain sufficient supply of agricultural goods in the domestic market and improve local production," Marcos said in Administrative Order No. 20, dated April 18.

The order, which took effect immediately, also contained the President’s directives on the processing and issuance of sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance for agricultural products and guidelines for the importation of sugar and fishery products.

The Department of Agriculture (DA), in coordination with either the Department of Trade and Industry or the Department of Finance, is tasked with streamlining procedures and requirements in the licensing of importers, minimizing the processing time of application for importation and exempting licensed traders from submission of registration requirements.