Philippines considering restoring feed wheat tariff

A government panel in the Philippines has recommended restoring a seven-percent tariff on feed wheat imports to protect local corn producers, a senior official said.

 

The government cut the import tariff on feed wheat to zero for six months starting January to help feedmillers hit by high local corn prices. The zero tariff expired on Sunday (Jun 21).

 

The local feed industry has imported more than 1.1 million tonnes of feed wheat this year, scheduled for delivery until August, as it recovers from higher raw material costs and animal disease last year.

 

That compares to just 112,000 tonnes of feed wheat imports in 2008, when rising prices turned off buyers.

 

A group of feed millers is planning to appeal against the potential removal of the zero tariff on feed wheat imports.