Hog raisers hit Canada, Australia

MANILA, Philippines - Local hog raisers have questioned the role of Canada and Australia in opposing the Philippines’ bid at the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a three-year extension of the country’s quantitative restrictions on rice after it ended last June 30. The two countries are not even considered as traditional rice exporters.

Abono chairman and Swine Development Council director Rosendo So pointed out in a statement, So urged the government to reject the pressures exerted by Canada and Australia because the country has been very cooperative in fulfilling its commitment with the WTO and the ASEAN Free Trade Area.

“ Why are Canada and Australia meddling in the country’s renegotiation for an extension of the quantitative restrictions (QR) on rice when tradionally they are not rice exporting countries?” he asked.

The Philippines is seeking another extension for quantitative restrictions on rice with the World Trade Organization (WTO), which ended last June 30.

The restrictions on rice imports had allowed the government some control in protecting local rice producers and consumers from the influx of imported rice by allowing the government to impose higher tariffs on rice imports beyond a certain volume.