DA, SRA urged to take stand vs sugar import liberalizationBy EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZhome/Business/Top Business/DA, SRA urged to take stand vs sugar import liberalizationTHE Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food on Wednesday asked the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to take a strong stand against the proposed liberalization of sugar imports, which could lead to the displacement of local sugar farmers. “What is deafening…is the silence of the Department of Agriculture and the SRA on the position of sugar liberalization,” Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said during the DA’s budget hearing at the Senate. The lawmaker also said there was a need for the Senate committee, along with the DA and SRA, to “reformulate” and “recalibrate” its position against the planned liberalization. Position paperFor his part, Dar gave the assurance that the DA and SRA will work together to address the issues facing the sugar industry. The Agriculture secretary also committed to craft a position paper on the pros and cons of sugar import liberalization.

Source: Manila Times October 09, 2019 22:52 UTC