The British Chamber of Commerce Philippines expressed its support for the recently signed Executive Order No. 50 and Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act to pass into law to assist with inflation and food security, especially with the challenge brought by the African Swine Fever (ASF). Meanwhile, it also expressed concern on the reported suspension of minimum access volume (MAV) for pork imports.
On 14 February 2024, the British Chamber in partnership with the UK Agriculture & Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), launched its internal Philippine-British Meat Trade Briefing. It consistently collaborated with the UK AHDB to further boost British pork trade to the Philippines and reiterates its support to the Executive Order No.50–mandating the extension of lowered tariffs on agricultural commodities including pork until the end of 2024, and the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act–mandating stringent policies to protect the local industry.(AHDB Head of International Trade Development Jonathan Eckley and Senior Analyst Freya Shuttleworth)
A recent report by the Department of Agriculture-Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), active ASF cases remained in 10 regions, 15 provinces, 34 municipalities, and 118 barangays as of 06 February 2024, noting that the livestock sector continues to be affected by ASF. With this growing concern in the industry, the British Chamber previously expressed its concern on the reported plan of the Department of Agriculture in suspending the MAV for pork imports as it will impact the domestic supply and existing trade agreements of the country.
In its official statement:
“We reiterate our support for the Executive Order No. 50, s. 2023 and its full implementation to manage inflation and food supply. We hereby acknowledge the role of agriculture in the Philippine economic growth and we look forward to the Bicameral Conference and therefore, the passage of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act.”
Moreover, the British Chamber further reiterated the need for the passage of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act to protect the local farmers and consumers while promoting fair trade practices, sustaining food security and the decline of inflation rate. It also remains committed to further boosting the UK-PH trade with an emphasis on reinforcing the agricultural industry towards economic growth.