(Screengrab from PNA)
MANILA — The Department of Agriculture (DA) will impose a 60-day import ban on certain pork products to protect local hog raisers and help the domestic swine industry recover from billions of pesos in losses linked to rising pork imports.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. announced the measure on Monday, November 9, saying the government is stepping up interventions to support local pork producers facing increasing competition from imported meat.
According to Tiu Laurel, the Philippine hog industry has incurred approximately Php 28 billion in losses amid a surge in pork imports, prompting the government to introduce measures aimed at stabilizing the sector.
The temporary import restriction is intended to provide relief to domestic hog raisers and create opportunities for local producers to recover from financial setbacks.
The DA said the intervention forms part of broader efforts to strengthen domestic pork production and protect the livelihoods of farmers and hog industry stakeholders.
The planned restriction comes as local producers continue to face challenges in maintaining profitability and competing with imported pork products.
The government is also seeking to balance the need to protect domestic producers with efforts to maintain an adequate pork supply for Filipino consumers.
Further details on the specific pork products covered by the ban, its implementation date, and possible exemptions have yet to be announced.
The DA is expected to coordinate with concerned agencies and industry stakeholders in implementing the temporary restriction.
The measure underscores the government’s efforts to support the recovery of the local hog industry while addressing concerns over the impact of increasing meat imports on domestic agricultural production.
