DA seeks to expand MAV for pork, corn

MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said yesterday the agency is proposing to expand the minimum access volume for pork and corn imports under the MAV Plus scheme. “The DA’s suggestion is using MAV Plus, which will increase the MAV so that it doesn’t affect farmers,” he added. Tiu Laurel said the DA has consulted with corn farmers groups, which have agreed to the agency’s proposal, while pork industry players are currently under consultation. He said poultry farmers were also consulted but rejected the DA’s proposal to expand MAV allocations due to overproduction and lower farmgate price for chicken. “We might still propose and do the process of MAV Plus for chicken, but we won’t trigger it unless necessary. Just be ready. It’s important to always be ready,” Tiu Laurel said. Farmer groups on Monday called on the DA to block proposals that would bring down tariffs on chicken, pork and corn to zero, as this could only damage local producers. The ...