The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the Department of Agriculture are looking into competition policies to align with trade regulatory processes in the livestock and poultry subsectors.
The DA delegation, led by Assistant Secretary for Policy and Regulations Paz J. Benavidez II, was joined recently by officials from the National Meat Inspection Service to discuss Administrative Order No. 20, s. 2024, which mandates the streamlining of procedures forNTMs to reduce administrative constraints on the importation of agricultural products.
The dialogue also covered the ongoing amendment of DA Administrative Circular No. 6, which aims to simplify and modernize regulatory processes for the import and export of agri-fishery products. Participants tackled the importance of aligning domestic regulatory practices with international standards, such as the Codex Alimentarius.
The DA shared plans to implement risk-based inspection protocols to minimize procedural delays and promote regulatory efficiency.
Recognizing the value of integrating competition principles into policy development and review, the PCC and DA agreed to conduct continual consultation and joint capacity-building activities to ensure that existing and future regulations align with both safety standards and pro-competition objectives.
Special attention will be given to policies involving licensing, inspection protocols, and sanitary and phytosanitary compliance.
The PCC remains committed to working with key regulatory agencies in fostering a competitive and efficient regulatory environment. By engaging with the DA, the PCC aims to ensure that reforms in the agricultural sector support both consumer welfare and a level playing field for market participants.
