US, Australia seek clarification on Phl's first border facility rules

The US and Australia will question at a World Trade Organization (WTO) committee if the forthcoming operationalization of the Philippines' first border will impede the flow of imported goods that have been inspected by competent authorities.

- JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

The two developed countries have tabled five questions for the two-day meeting of the WTO Committee on Agriculture (CoA) that started Wednesday regarding the Philippines' Cold Examination Facility for Agriculture (CEFA) project.

The US and Australia are inquiring regarding the status of the guidelines or regulations governing the implementation of CEFA, particularly for the inspection and testing of agricultural goods.

The two countries are seeking clarification on whether the rules have been finalized and if the Philippines will operationalize the CEFA even without the notification of necessary guidelines to its trade partners.