Hog raisers want MAV extended

The National Federation of Hog Farmers Inc. (NFHFI) has asked the government to extend the minimum access volume (MAV) system and refocus the Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF). It also proposed to reject any initiatives to open the local market further and reduce the Philippine pace of the duties on sensitive agricultural products.

NFHFI national chairman Nemesio G. Co said animal raising is a P214.6-billion industry, roughly 32 percent of the total value of the Philippine agriculture. Its production is valued at a subtotal of P117.7 billion. The hog industry contributed the biggest at P92.7 billion, followed by cattle raising at P14.3 billion and carabao raising at P6 billion. Poultry farming is worth P96.5 billon with poultry meat at P73.8 billion and poultry eggs at P17.6 billion.

NFHFI president Albert R. Lim said all these records are being threatened when MAV ends in June this year, jeopardizing the fortune of 3.5 million Filipinos involved in animal raising and related businesses.

"When the MAV system ends in June, the Philippines would not be able to compete with the highly subsidized agricultural produce from the US, EU and other developed countries. Cheap dumped imports, including smuggled goods, would adversely affect the industry, as well as the food and livelihood security and rural development.

MAV refers to the volume of specific agricultural products that are allowed to be imported as committed to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Without MAV system, a Third World country like the Philippines will suffer increased unemployment and worsening poverty, resulting in the dining table without food when international supplies get busted.

The Philippines might have been unwittingly swept into signing the Uruguay Round Agreement for liberalized trade. — Ramon Ma. Epino