DA begins to review PHL rice import limits

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has started reviewing the country’s quantitative restriction (QR) on rice ahead of asking the World Trade Organization (WTO) to extend the Philippines’ rice importation limits, a DA consultant said Tuesday. In an interview, DA senior consultant on trade matters Gregorio Tan said the review — a priority measure under the 2011-2016 Philippine Development Plan — will likely take a year to complete. “Going by the rules, we have to notify the World Trade Organization of our desire — whether for an extension or not," Tan explained. “Then the organization will contact the member countries for feedback or opposition. They might ask for concessions in exchange of the extension of the QR on rice." DA Undersecretary for Planning Segfredo Serrano also said that Congress would have to amend Republic Act (RA 8178) or the Agricultural Tarrification Act should government decide not to extend the QR on rice. In March, National Food Authority administrator Angelito Banayo said the government may ask the WTO to again extend the QR on rice until 2015. On the other hand, University of the Philippines economist and former Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the government should consider removing the QR on rice and do away with state monopoly over imports to allow it to collect more taxes for the poor. — PE/VS, GMA News