First border inspection rules out by December

The government will hold a series of consultations with local and foreign stakeholders in the runup to the finalization of new import inspection rules by December for the anticipated implementation of the country's first-border facility early next year.

- By JASPER EMMANUEL ARCALAS

In a response to queries at the World Trade Organization Committee on Agriculture (WTO-CoA), the Philippines said the regulatory guidelines for the cold examination facility for agriculture (CEFA) remains a work in progress.

The guidelines, which is expected to be finalized in two months' time, shall be implemented once the CEFA becomes operational, with the first of its kind tabled to go online by the first quarter next year.

"The regulatory guidelines shall be subjected to a series of public consultations with both local and foreign industry stakeholders prior to its publication and shall be implemented 15 days thereafter," the Philippines said, in reply to questions from the US and Australia.

During the September WTO-CoA meeting, US and Australia asked for updates about the planned first border facility of the Philippines which they implied might lead to import rules and regulations.