The Ministry of Agriculture (DA) is the completion of the minimum access volume (MAV) quota for importing pork this month in the middle of print From meat importers and traders.
“The general direction for MAV will be 55,000 tons (MT), although not yet completed,” said agricultural secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. On the sidelines of an event in the city of Valenzuela.
Of the 55,000 MT, Mr Laurel said that 30,000 MT will be allocated for meat processors and that 10,000 MT will be “equally distributed” among traders.
The DA receives a allocation of 15,000 MT to tackle a potential peak in pork prices.
Under Executive order No. 50, pig rates are 15% for shipments within the MAV and 25% for those who exceed the quota.
Meat traders have called on the DA to spend the MAV allocation for 2025 as quickly as possible to prevent disruptions of delivery. They claimed that the MAV quota should have been released in the first week of January.
In a Viber message to Business worldPresident Jess C. Cham, President of Meat On Importers and Traders Association (MITA) called a “2-class distinction”.
“It is unfair and unjust for licensees who are not processors,” he said.
“They have followed the quota legally and honestly the MAV guidelines. Other sectors will be robbed of affordable pork and not made -up. “
In a letter to Mr. Laurel, the Mita expressed his concern that the quota for the MAV were not divided. The group noted that last year the entire pig quota was not released until September.
“We don’t think the outcome was good for consumers or the economy,” said it.
Mita also opposed a proposed change in the guidelines that only processors would be eligible to submit an application as a regular licensee or participant.
According to the change, public and private entities may also be eligible to protect license to participate in government food safety programs.
The existing guidelines state that there are only “licensees” and newcomers, and the only way to preserve and acquire quota through the licensesEes’ use or performance.
“The revival of ‘class differences’ is clearly contrary to existing guidelines and very problematic – the licensees only classify as a trader or processor,” said Mita.
“What about the producers and commercial food service providers? What are they entitled to? “
Mita noted that a distinction between two -class is ‘very shallow and superficial’.
“After almost three decades from MAV, the licensees have developed and established their unique characteristics. They are no longer limited to the four classes of the first year. We now see the rise of licensors with meat shops, meat cutting plants, cold storage facilities and logistics, serving over different trade channels and not only limited to any lonely, “it added.
Mita said that Licenseeers have acquired and retained quota in accordance with the guidelines.
“That is why every redistribution that is not in accordance with the current guidelines is in fact a ‘entertainment’ and that is unfair and unjust,” it said, adding that the move will influence small processors that cannot import and import and They will not make them competitive against the larger branches that have access to MAV.
“Some meat processors are also busy with meat trade, while others have founded meat trade companies. Although MDM (mechanically debiled meat) is the most important poultry item, there are ‘processors’ that currently import chicken meat that are used in food service, “said Mita.
“Will these processors also be robbed of quota? What about rice, corn, sugar and coffee? Or will this rule only apply to pork, making it a ‘special’ raw material? “
Mita said that the removal of MAV quota from all licensees, except that processors will deprive direct consumers from affordable pork and poultry meat.
“Currently, MAV pig and poultry are being sold in wet markets, supermarkets, meat shops, restaurants and canteens. They can also easily be sold in the Kadiwa stores. ‘
National Federation of HOG Farmers, Inc. (Natfed) Vice-chairman Alfred NG said that Mr. Laurel’s MAV ruling was discussed during a meeting with stakeholders on Tuesday.
“Giving more to the processors is a cautious move because they are directly involved in the production of our processed meat,” he said in a vugar.
“In the past, more was taken by the traders who enjoyed the much lower rates with not many risks in contrast to processors who have facilities and machine investments,” he added.
The British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Executive Director Chris Nelson welcomed the expected issue of the MAV allocation.
“But what I would say is that we want to see a smooth issue. We wish the MAV would be published as before, and that we will come to the country, “he said in a Viber call.
He said that the original system has benefited both the United Kingdom and the Philippines.
The Philippines are still the second largest export market in the United Kingdom for pork.
Pork prices have risen in the country, which means that the DA must take into account the imposition of a maximum proposed selling price (MSRP) for the raw material.
The DA has said that the reasonable price for pork P380 is per kilo, since the Farmgate price on P250 is plus a profit margin of P100.
Laurel said that the DA is watching to buy pork from producers and sell the raw material directly to retailers to prevent a ‘stratification’.
The government “will be forced to intervene” if the pig prices remain high, he noticed.
“I am skeptical about DA who is immediately busy selling pork at lower prices,” said Federation of Free Farmers National Director Raul Q. Montemayor in a Viber message.
He noted that the role of DA is to ensure that the market runs smoothly and is not deformed by profiteers and price manipulators.
“They have powers under the Price Act and the anti-economic sabotage law to lag behind these criminals,” he said. “If there is excessive stratification, why would you not find a way to reduce these layers without buying and selling pork?” – Kat Atienza