FFF slams DA delay on rice import safeguard duties

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) has criticized the Department of Agriculture's (DA) prolonged indecision on imposing safeguard duties to limit rice imports, calling the hold-up "inordinate." For nearly nine months, local rice producers have been waiting for the DA to resolve their petition, which they argue is crucial to protecting their livelihoods and ensuring fair competition. This delay underscores broader concerns about the government's responsiveness to the needs of local farmers in an increasingly globalized market.