Importation of Additional Frozen Beef ( Memorandum Order No. 445 )

September 8, 1997

MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. 445

DIRECTING THE MAV MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE TO ALLOW THE IMPORTATION OF AN ADDITIONAL 29,000 METRIC TONS OF FROZEN BEEF

The MAV Management Committee (MMC) is hereby instructed to ensure the importation of an additional 29,000 metric tons of frozen beef under the Minimum Access Volume (MAV) mechanism. This additional importation is critical in sustaining the growth of the domestic meat processing industry.

The domestic use of beef and carabeef for meat processing increased by 25.3% in 1996 and is projected to grow by 41.2% this year. In contrast, local production of beef and carabeef has grown by 9% in 1996 and is expected to grow by 9.28% in 1997. The 1997 minimum access volume for frozen beef amounting to 57,054 metric tons is inadequate to meet the expected use of frozen beef in meat processing.

The prevailing domestic price of frozen beef is nearly 50% higher than its corresponding import price. Allowing this additional importation can help reduce the cost of processed meats to the benefit of consumers.

The MMC is further instructed to allocate the additional 29,000 metric tons of frozen beef in accordance with existing established procedures for MAVs.

This Memorandum Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 8th day of September, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Ninety-Seven.