WHEREAS, pork is a sensitive agricultural product covered by the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) system;

WHEREAS, the importation of this product by duty-free shops is neither inside nor outside the MAV system thereby contradicting the rationale behind the MAV, which supports the agriculture sector to become more efficient and competitive;

WHEREAS, the share of duty-free shops importation of this product is unusually high and disproportionate to total imports, this importation accounting for 11% of total pork imports;

WHEREAS, local livestock producers have expressed their concern over the importation citing not only the unrealistically high volumes imported but also the inability of the duty-free authorities to confine sale within the duty-free zones;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDGARDO J. ANGARA, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, by virtue of the powers vested in me, hereby order the ban on the importation by Duty-Free Shops of pork effective immediately.

This ban shall exclude imports already in transit from exporting countries to the Philippines provided that such imports shall arrive in the Philippines not later than September 30, 1999. After this date, no other exclusion shall be allowed.

This Order shall be in effect until revoked in writing.

Adopted: 9 Sept. 1999

(SGD.) EDGARDO J. ANGARA
Secretary