Abono urges rice import restrictions

By Freddie G. Lazaro

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — A group of livestock raisers requested the country’s officials concerned in the renegotiation with the World Trade Organization (WTO) for a three-year extension of quantitative restrictions (QR) on rice importation.

This was the appeal Abono chairman and Swine Development Council Director Rosendo So, who represented the livestock raisers in Region 1, after he learned that some countries are allegedly opposing the Philippines’ bid at the WTO for a three-year extension of the country’s quantitative restrictions on rice after it ended last June 30, 2012.

“The negotiation should be realized considering that our country have been very cooperative in fulfilling its commitment with the WTO and the ASEAN free trade area,” So said.

He aired his strong condemnation to these opposing countries considering that they are not even considered as traditional rice exporters.

He also asked why several countries are meddling in the Philippines’ renegotiation for an extension of the quantitative restrictions (QR) on rice.

The restrictions on rice imports had allowed the government some control in protecting local rice producers and consumers from the influx of imported rice by allowing the government to impose higher tariffs on rice imports beyond a certain volume.

Earlier, So along with other hog farmers and poultry sectors advocates have expressed full support to the position of Department of Agriculture not to use the livestock and poultry sectors as “bargaining chip” in negotiating with the WTO for the extension of the country’s QR on rice.

Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala had assured leaders of hog and poultry industry that interest of the local livestock and poultry sectors would not be sacrificed in renegotiating for the extension of the qualitative restriction on rice.