Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. on Wednesday said initial plans have been laid out to include the Food Terminal Incorporated (FTI) and Planters Product Inc. (PPI) for this year’s pork minimum access volume (MAV) allocation.
MAV is an import system for commodities’ entry at a lower tariff rate, with pork MAV set at a 15 percent tariff.
In an ambush interview, Tiu Laurel said the move will enable the DA to make pork meat available at a cheaper price amid spiking retail prices.
“Para may capability tayong bumili ng (So that we will have the capability to buy) pork from abroad to tame prices if needed using the lower tax of MAV,” he said.
Besides allocation for DA, he said the “general direction” of 55,000 metric tons (MT) of pork MAV will be for meat processors and traders.
“Sa (Of the) 55,000 tons, 30,000 tons will go to the processors, 15,000 tons will go to the DA through FTI and PPI,” Tiu Laurel said.
The remaining 10,000 MT will be “equally” distributed to eligible traders, he added.
Tiu Laurel, however, clarified that these proposals for the import system are yet to be finalized.
He noted that the release of pork MAV is not yet delayed as it still falls “within the first quarter” period, citing plans to distribute the final allocation before the end of February.
Earlier, the Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) expressed concerns about the proposed changes in MAV, as well as its effect on the timeline of distribution. (PNA)
