Drilon: No increase in MAV for pork imports until Congress resumes session

The Department of Agriculture (DA) cannot raise the minimum access volume (MAV) on pork imports just yet as Congress needs to act on the proposal when it resumes session next month, Senate Minority Leader Frank Drilon asserted on Tuesday.

“In keeping with the spirit of the law, the Congress, where the power to set import quotas lies, should be given the chance to act on the proposal to increase the minimum access volume on pork imports,” he said.

“To implement it without waiting for Congress to resume session and deliberate on the proposal is illegal, not to mention it is a total disrespect to a co-equal branch,” Drilon stressed.

Drilon explained that since the letter of the President recommending the increase was received by Congress when it was already on a break, it is only when Congress resumes session on May 17 that it can proceed to deliberate on the proposal.

“We provided a procedural framework, through Agricultural Tariffication Act, under which the fixing of MAV can be exercised by the President. The executive must follow such procedures faithfully,” he said.

Section 6 of the Agricultural Tariffication Act provides that the President’s recommendation to revise, modify or adjust the MAV in case of shortages or abnormal price increases in agricultural products is deemed approved if Congress fails to act after 15 days from receipt.

But Drilon said the provision was not applicable because the President’s recommendation was sent to and received by the Senate when it was no longer in session “and thus cannot act on the recommendation.”

Drilon said the 15-day provision of the law only applies when Congress is in session.

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)