WTO extends PHL tariff restrictions on rice, says Agri chief Alcala

The World Trade Organization Committee on Trade in Goods (WTO-CTG) has granted a Philippine petition for protective measures by keeping the high duties on imported rice under the minimum access volume at 40 percent and incoming shipments of the commodity at 50 percent outside the MAV, the Department of Agriculture said Monday.

 

The WTO-CTG decision basically extended the quantitative restrictions (QR) on rice in favor of the Philippines, and the committee has pledged to endorse the decision to the WTO General Council in July, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala told reporters at a briefing.

 

“Our negotiators have succeeded... Between now and 2017, we will still have control over rice that will enter the country,” Alcala said, noting the three-year extension of the QR on rice.

 

He said the approval of the special restriction on rice entails an increase in the minimum access volume (MAV) and the continued imposition of a 40 percent tariff on imports made within the MAV and tariff of 50 percent outside of MAV.

 

“But we will not rest with this,” the Agriculture chief said. The department will remain vigilant by implementing measures to boost rice output.

 

However, in line with the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement starting next year, rice imports from Southeast Asian neighbors will be levied at 35 percent for now. – VS, GMA News