"Duty reduction is one of the solutions we are proposing to help stem inflation," the Meat Importers and Traders Association of the Philippines said yesterday.
The Meat Importers and Traders Association of the Philippines appealed to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos to lower the tariff on pork in the next five years to stem inflation, especially on food.
In a letter dated 28 September, the group asked Marcos to issue a new Executive Order to reinstate the 5 percent import duty rate on pork and 15 percent quota for a duration of five years.
"Duty reduction is one of the solutions we are proposing to help stem inflation. We have other suggestions and recommendations about Availability, Affordability, Sourcing, Retail Pricing, etc.," the letter read.
"Hence, we would appreciate the opportunity to present them to you at your earliest convenience," it added. The letter was signed by MITA president Sherwin Choi and Emeritus President Jesus Cham.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte issued EO 134, which reduced pork tariffs when he similarly had to arrest high inflation and food costs.
Situation remains dire
"The conditions that warranted the issuance of EO134 still exist today, and have gotten worse for the Philippines, as well as for the global landscape… We believe there is no need for the DA (Department of Agriculture) to petition the Tariff Commission anew," the group said.
MITA also pointed out that African swine fever remains a challenge for the national government to resolve.
It said Vietnam, in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture, is developing a vaccine, but global commercial availability is still years away.
"Even if a vaccine with a high efficacy rate were to be commercially available by next year, it would still take our domestic pork industry at least five years. Hence, by their admission and estimation, that is the period to build our herd back up to pre-ASF levels," MITA argued.
The group also argued that Asian neighbors, and even New Zealand, have responded by reducing their tariff on pork and in some cases also poultry, either through Free Trade Agreement or some special measure to address inflation.
