FEB.

13, 2014

NR # 3376

Farmers warn against imported veggies

Filipino farmers have warned that the local vegetable industry will collapse if imported and smuggled vegetables will continue to flood the local market. In House Resolution 582 Rep. Fernando Hicap !"artylist #nakpawis$ said local farmers have complained of huge losses in potential buyers since imported vegetables started to enter the country. Hicap said the problem in the industry arises following the country%s membership to the &eneral #greement on 'ariffs and 'rade()orld 'rade *rgani+ation !&#''()'*$ as it has become cheaper for big businessmen to import highland vegetables from ,hina 'aiwan and other countries because of lower prices. -Farmers are pointing out that the increase in cheap agricultural imports has become the main threat to their livelihood. ,omplicating the problem is the lack of support services from the government high cost of production high land rental and landlessness . Hicap said. Hicap urged the House /pecial ,ommittee on &lobali+ation and )'* to conduct an in0uiry on the effects of the implementation of &#''()'* on the local vegetable industry. Hicap said from 1225 to 2311 the country%s importation of vegetable and fruits totaled to 4.8 billion kilograms. Hicap said the country%s production of garlic onion broccoli cauliflower and potato has reached 5.4 million metric tons. 'he country%s vegetable sector has been sub6ected to the government%s liberali+ed trade policy according to Hicap. .'ariffs on vegetable commodities have been reduced since 1283s when the government embarked on the comprehensive trade liberali+ation program under the country%s /tructural #d6ustment "rogram !/#"$ . Hicap said. !53$ mrs