Philippines agriculture department backs gradual pork tariff increases

MANILA — The Department of Agriculture said Friday it is pursuing a gradual approach to raising tariffs on imported pork, aiming to restore duties to levels that existed before African swine fever devastated the local hog industry. The proposal follows consultations held Sept. 24 with industry stakeholders who have urged the government to implement the tariff increases as farmgate pork prices struggle to recover. Officials say the staggered approach is designed to protect domestic producers while allowing the market to adjust to higher import costs incrementally. The DA indicated the phased tariff restoration would help local hog raisers compete more effectively against cheaper foreign supplies that have flooded the market during the recovery period following the disease outbreak. The agency is expected to present further details of the implementation timeline in coming weeks as discussions with stakeholders continue.