Meat consumption in the country is expected to grow 3.45 percent by 2028, a situation that requires policy and regulatory interventions to further promote market competition and efficiency, according to a study conducted by the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC).
With that, the PCC convened a strategic policy dialogue with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) to discuss potential competition concerns arising from the implementation of non-tariff measures (NTMs) on livestock and poultry subsectors.
The PCC shared the results of its recent study, including gathered data indicating that approximately one-third of the Philippine agricultural sector’s output is attributable to the livestock, poultry, and dairy industries.
Relatedly, meat consumption in the Philippines was projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.45 percent from 2023 to 2028. PCC said that streamlining the implementation of NTMs in the livestock and poultry subsectors will be crucial in sustaining domestic demand.
The study recognizes that sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures and other technical barriers to trade serve as important policy mechanisms for health and safety reasons. However, when SPS and other NTMs become too costly, excessive, or burdensome, the same may function as non-tariff barriers, which could raise competition concerns.
Specific concerns raised include varying guidelines and standards, which may result in excessive documentation requirements and procedural delays.
During the discussion, ARTA highlighted inter-agency collaboration efforts to resolve overlapping mandates and unify regulatory reform. The PCC gained constructive insights from ARTA initiatives and existing capacity-building programs, i.e., regulatory impact assessments, to help ensure that regulations are evidence-based, cost-effective, and pro-market competition.
ARTA noted that the PCC study could serve as valuable input in identifying regulatory bottlenecks that could be prioritized for review and assessment in coordination with other regulatory agencies.
As the primary agencies responsible for Chapter 10 of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, “Promote Competition and Improve Regulatory Efficiency,” the PCC and ARTA are tasked with coordinating efforts to streamline processes, enhance transparency, and ensure that the regulatory environment supports both market competition and consumer welfare.
