Whereas, the Department of Agriculture is currently undertaking a one-time, reduced tariff importation for pork to alleviate the recent rising in prices of pork in the National Capital Region (NCR) particularly in the wet market;

Whereas, Executive Order No. 299 dated March 26, 2004 modifies the rates of import duty on certain articles under Section 104 of the Tariff and Customs Code of 1978 (PD # 1464) as amended, and Section 4 of such Order requires issuance of guidelines by the Department of Agriculture;

Whereas, there is a need to import Five Thousand Metric Tons (5,000 MT) of pork at 10% tariff as soon as possible but not later than June 7, 2004 and another Five thousand Metric Tons (5,000 MT) on a standby mode whenever still necessary.

Qualification:

1.  Any regular MAV licensees of HS Code 0203 (fresh/chilled/frozen PORK) of year 2004 or non-holder of MAV license are qualified to import on a First-Come-First-Serve basis.

2.  Any hog producer, meat trader or meat manufacturer under the definition of MAV are qualified to import.

3.  Any new importer falling under the preceding paragraph shall be subject to BAI accreditation.

Specification of Meat Cuts:

The following meat of swine under HS Code 0203 are covered by this guidelines;

1.  Carcasses and half-carcasses of swine, frozen
2.  Hams, shoulders and cuts thereof, with bone in, of swine, frozen
3.  Pork bellies, frozen
4.  Fore-ends and cuts thereof, frozen
5.  Other cuts (except pork bellies and fore-end and cuts thereof) of swine, frozen

Source:

Qualified Importers may source their pork supply from any country and meat establishment approved/accredited by the DA.

Import/Allocation:

1.  The first 5,000 MT and the standby volume of 5,000 MT shall be part of the unsubscribe portion (31,420 MT) of MAV year 2004.

2.  Any qualified importer can import any volume on a First-Come-First Serve basis until June 7, 2004.

3.  Allocation to qualified importer but at the same time a MAV licensee holder shall not form part of their respective regular MAV allocation for year 2004.

4.  Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading and VQC are to be presented for the issuance of Special MAV Certificate.

5.  Allocation is non-transferable.

Validity:

1.  The Special MAV Certificate shall be issued by the Executive Director of the MAV Secretariat under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture.

2.  The Special MAV Certificate shall be valid up to June 7, 2004 and is non-renewable.

3.  Any shipment that is part of 5,000 MT arriving after the EO approval but not after June 7, 2004 is considered as special MAV allocation.

This Order shall take effect 12 April 2004.


(SGD.) LUIS P. LORENZO, JR.
Secretary