THE poultry industry is lobbying for the abolition of the minimum access volume (MAV) on chicken in order to facilitate special safeguard (SSG) measures to protect the sector for imports.
“We are calling for the abolition of the MAV for chicken so that the SSG trade remedy can apply to all imports,” United Broiler Raisers Association (UBRA) President Elias Jose M. Inciong said in a mobile message on Monday.
“In 2005, under our World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments the In-quota and the out-tariff tariff (50% before 2005) became equal at 40%. Therefore, there is no longer a MAV for chicken,” according to Mr. Inciong.
The decline of farmgate prices for chicken started in late 2018 due to oversupply.
According to UBRA’s weekly survey as of Feb. 22, 2019, the average farmgate price of regular chicken fell 7.4% week on week to P68.50 per kilogram, while the price of prime chicken fell 10.4% to P68.76. The average price of chicken classified as off-sized fell 5.9% to P70.33.
Ilocos Norte Governor Imee R. Marcos has called for a total ban on the importation of pork and chicken, to help protect domestic hog and poultry growers.
Department of Agriculture (DA)Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said that the proposal could expose the Philippines to retaliation from other WTO members.
Mr. Piñol, asked last Thursday on the condition of the poultry industry after it has reported oversupply, replied, “Okay na naman. Iyang chicken kasi, kontrolado ang presyo sa merkado (It is now okay. Chicken prices in the market are controlled).”
Earlier this month, Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said his department is considering SSGs to help the domestic poultry industry, but has yet to discuss the measure with the DA. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio
