By Alec Go
Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar on Saturday (May 8) said the government might release next week the updated suggested retail price (SRP) of imported pork.
The announcement made in the Laging Handa public briefing followed the agreement between economic managers and the Senate to modify the current tariff rates imposed on imported pork under Executive Order No. 128.
Both parties have recommended that the tariff rates be adjusted to 10% for in-quota and 20% for out-quota for the first three months, and to 15% for in-quota and 25% for out-quota for the remaining nine months.
“Ang presyo po, base dito sa pinal na taripa na binababa ay we are now making the calculations and we are doing this in tandem, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry. So baka next week ay i-announce po namin iyong suggested retail price,” Dar said.
“So there will be a new executive order highlighting or mentioning itong pagbaba ng taripa. Mayroon din isang EO na nagsasaad doon iyong minimum access volume increase. So ganoon po ang inaasahan po natin,” he explained.
The current recommendation of the economic team and Senate includes lowering of minimum access volume (MAV) for imported pork from 404,000 metric tons to 254,210 metric tons.
“Now, with these twin measures na MAV Plus, plus the lowering of the tariff of imported pork and pork products, ay nakikita po natin in general na bababa ang pork prices, imported pork prices to a level of about 23%,” Dar projected.
The official assured that first border examinations are being intensified to prevent transmission of African Swine Flu (ASF) due to pork importation, saying that they are only allowing the entry of pork from ASF-free countries.
Meanwhile, the department said they are currently coordinating with a vaccine company in the United States for the ongoing trial of ASF vaccine. -RIR
Watch the full interview with DA Sec. Dar:
