PRESS RELEASE
29 May 2025

PCC, ARTA dialogue aims to improve livestock and poultry import rules

PCC Commissioner Marah Victoria S. Querol (9th from left), Economics Office Acting Director III Kirsten Dela Cruz (8th from left) and other PCC staff with Dir. Marbida L. Marbida (6th from right) heading the ARTA delegation during the strategic policy dialogue held on May 5, 2025 in Quezon City.

The Philippine Competition Commission (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) in the livestock and poultry subsectors. The dialogue held on May 5 at the PCC Office centered on possible policy and regulatory interventions that may further promote market competition and regulatory efficiency.

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% from 2023 to 2028. 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.

Strategic policy dialogue between the PCC and ARTA, held on May 5, 2025 in Quezon City.

The discussion highlighted ARTA’s 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.

This dialogue forms part of the PCC’s broader efforts to engage regulators in promoting market competition through the assessment of practices across various Philippine sectors.

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REFERENCE:  
publicaffairs@phcc.gov.ph  
Public Affairs and Research Division
Communications and Knowledge Management Office
Philippine Competition Commission