DA Mulls Lower Tariff for Pork Imports

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is looking to expand the volume of pork imports levied with a lower tariff rate to boost domestic supply and pull down retail prices that have skyrocketed to as much as P500 per kilo.

- By JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. confirmed to The STAR that the DA is proposing to expand the minimum access volume (MAV) on pork by 150,000 metric tons (MT).

Tiu Laurel said the proposal aims "to lower pork prices." The increase in pork MAV will be for two years, sources told The STAR.

Under existing laws, the MAV can be adjusted or modified in times of shortages or abnormal price increases in agricultural commodities.

The STAR learned that the MAV advisory council (MAV-AC) convened last May 27 to discuss a proposal of the DA to increase the MAV allocation for pork imports, which is also known as MAV plus.

The MAV-AC is composed of various agriculture industry representatives recommending matters about the MAV. The MAV is a mechanism that allows the entry of commodities under a lower tariff rate.