Philippines plans to improve livestock, poultry import rules
PCC Commissioner Marah Victoria Querol (9th from left), Economics Office Acting Director III Kirsten Dela Cruz (8th from left) and other PCC staff with Director Marbida Marbida (6th from right) heading the ARTA delegation during the strategic policy dialogue held on May 5, 2025 in Quezon City – PCC photo
MANILA, Philippines — Measures are under way to improve the country’s livestock and poultry import regulations amid concerns over non-tariff measures that may be stifling market competition, the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) said on Thursday.
The government’s antitrust body said it had held a dialogue with the Anti-Red Tape Authority on May 5. They discussed ways to streamline regulatory processes to boost efficiency while maintaining health and safety standards.
Among the issues raised were inconsistent guidelines and standards that lead to “excessive documentation requirements and procedural delays.”
READ: Marcos orders DA to ease import process of agri products
Non-tariff barriers
“Sanitary and phytosanitary measures and other technical barriers to trade serve as important policy mechanisms for health and safety reasons,” the PCC said.
However, the PCC cautioned that when these measures become “too costly, excessive, or burdensome,” they risk acting as non-tariff barriers that could hamper competition and slow down market activity.
With meat consumption projected to grow annually by 3.45 percent from 2023 to 2028, the PCC cited the need to refine non-tariff measures to facilitate smoother trade and import processes. It sees such improvements as vital to meet increasing domestic demand.
READ: DA agency refining chicken import policy amid bird flu worries
The move to review and improve non-tariff measures in the livestock and poultry sectors is seen as a significant policy direction given the long-standing challenges that have hindered market competition and trade efficiency in these critical industries.
READ: Chicken meat imports seen rising in 2025
