DA mulls higher import tariff on pork offals

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines may seek an increase in the five-percent duty it imposes on imported pork offals in response to complaints from hog raisers over the heavy importation of pork offals which the hog industry says is harming their sector.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Davinio Catbagan said that the Department of Agriculture is studying the feasibility of hiking tariff on pork offals before recommending an increase to the Tariff and Related Matters (TRM) committee.

Catbagan explained that “increasing tariffs on pork offals cannot be done arbitrarily. It has to undergo a process.”

Following a dialogue with hog raisers, Catbagan said the DA assured the hog raisers that the DA would consider the matter.

The tariffs on pork offals (except pork liver) has been brought down to five percent since Jan. 1, 2004.

Hog raisers belonging to the National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc. (NFHFI) had complained that the sale of imported pork offals – pig lips, cheeks, head and liver—in wet markets is dampening demand for local pork.

Aside from pork offals, the hog raisers said pork bellies and deboned are also entering the country, competing with local pork.

The imported pork offals are sold cheaper than local pork which sells at P170 to P180 per kilogram.

 Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) records show that imports of pork offals amounted to 48.45 million kilograms or 48,450 metric tons (MT) as of Nov. 18 this year.

BAI records also showed that as of Nov. 18, the importation of various pork products has reached 162.84 million kilograms, 50 million kilos more than the 114.36 million kgs imported in 2009.