UMVA has learned that a contentious debate has erupted over Executive Order 116, which dramatically increased the minimum access volume (MAV) for pork imports to 204,210 metric tons, a substantial jump from the previous 54,210 metric tons.
The move, touted as a measure to curb inflation, has sparked fierce criticism from farmers' and food-industry groups, who claim it undermines the interests of domestic pork producers. They argue that the surge in imports has depressed farmgate prices, causing significant hardship for local hog raisers.
Rosendo O. So, President of the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, has spoken out against the Executive Order, stating that it has put domestic producers at a severe disadvantage. He pointed out that the farmgate price plummeted 20.7% year on year in May to P189.58 per kilo, a stark illustration of the EO's devastating impact.
"We should not be talking about expanding the MAV this year and should just revoke the EO," Mr. So urged, highlighting that the domestic supply of pork has begun to recover after the African Swine Fever outbreak decimated the local hog population in 2019. His call to action has resonated with industry stakeholders.
Eric Harina, chairman of ProPork, has also weighed in on the issue, advocating for the restoration of tariff protections for the industry. He emphasized the need for meaningful consultations with domestic producers before implementing new agricultural trade policies, warning that hasty decisions could have far-reaching consequences.
Mr. Harina argued that the government's focus should shift to modernizing the farm-to-market supply chain, rather than relying on import liberalization. He stressed that nurturing the industry and supporting local producers would lead to lower meat prices and more stable retail prices in the long run.
