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THE Tariff Commission has asked the Philippine Association of Feed
Millers Inc. (PAFMI) and the United Broilers Association to file
their position papers on their petition for reduced duty rates on
certain feed ingredients and products under the Sensitive and Highly
Sensitive Lists of the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement.
Tariff Commission Chairman Edgardo Abon said the
petitioners, PAFMI President Norman Ramos and UBRA Chairman Elias
Jose Inciong, want the Commission to suspend the 3-percent tariff on
soybeans, soybean meal, brewing or distilling dregs and waste and
tapioca residue.
Abon has asked the petitioners to file their
position papers on March 25.
Ramos cited Executive Order 376, which states
“the government needs to provide duty exemption to importations of
eligible agriculture and fisheries enterprises to promote and foster
their efficiency and global competitiveness.”
The PAFMI president explained to Abon that the
hog and poultry industry are also affected with the high costs of
the soybean products.
Inciong said the regular review on tariff
reduction is still under negotiations.
He also said that if zero tariffs on the said
products will be granted, the cost of production of the poultry
growers is expected to decrease.
Because of this, poultry growers may be given a
chance to compete with the world market of poultry products, he
added.
-- Ira Karen Apanay
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