DA to scrap MSRP for pork amid resistance

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will scrap the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork due to low compliance among vendors, as it looks at developing a “better” policy to keep retail prices in check.–INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

The Department of Agriculture (DA) will scrap the maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) for pork due to low compliance among vendors, as it looks at developing a “better” policy to keep retail prices in check.

“Let’s put it this way. [It] will be lifted and then we’re going to study [it] and then come out with a revised program for MSRP,” Agriculture Undersecretary Constante Palabrica said on Wednesday.

“Basically, like what I said earlier, it’s [the] law of supply and demand. Because of the loss of hogs due to ASF (African swine fever) and there is so much demand because of the election, it’s difficult to implement,” he told reporters.

Pork Producers Federation of the Philippines president Rolando Tambago, for his part, suggested that the government bolster local production instead to ensure supply and stabilize market prices.

He proposed incentivizing local pork producers, such as offering favorable loan packages from government banks and easing regulatory policies without sacrificing product quality, environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety.

The DA first implemented the MSRP of P350 per kilogram for pigue (leg/ham) and kasim on March 10. It also set a price ceiling of P300 per kilo for freshly slaughtered carcass.

It implemented the measure to prevent excessive price gouging. However, the DA’s recent market visits or inspections showed that less than 10 percent of vendors were complying with the MSRP. INQ