March 23, 2004

 

 

Philippines Reassure Local Corn Producers Over Imports

 

The Philippines' National Food Authority (NFA) has told local corn farmers not to be unduly worried over the possible dumping of imported corn in the country as safeguards to protect the domestic industry will be implemented.

 

NFA Administrator Arthur Yap said trade measures will be implemented so that local farmers will be protected even with the importation of corn.

 

"Safeguards are critical in corn importation. The question is how do we protect our local corn farmers," Yap said.

 

Yap said that for one, the arrival of all imported corn into the country is scheduled in April so that it will not coincide with the March local corn harvests.

 

He assured that imported corn will not be cheaper than the locally harvested grains, adding that the NFA is eyeing imports from South America.

 

"We're considering corn imports from South America, like, Argentina. That in itself is a safeguard because it will not be as cheaper as the local corn because of the distance," Yap said.

 

Yap said importers should have prior records with the Bureau of Animal Industry of importing their produce into the country.

 

He said corn importation is a temporary measure to meet the 500,000 metric tons of shortfall in local corn production.

 

"Importing is a temporary measure to help our livestock and poultry industry," he said.

 

Hog raisers have been complaining of the high cost of production since early February. They said the high price of ingredients of hog feeds, such as corn and soybean, has affected production.