Amid low compliance among retailers, the Department of Agriculture (DA) temporarily lifted the implementation of maximum suggested retail price (MSRP) on pork beginning Thursday.

"The lifting of MSRP on pork is effective today. The main reason is due to the clamor of the industry to allow them to sell a farmgate price that is above 230 pesos per kilo," Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told reporters in Quezon City on Thursday.

"Of course there is also an issue of non compliance so we are re-evaluating our strategy in order to solve this issue and bring down the prices of pork in the near future," he added.

Laurel said the lifting of MSRP is just temporary but he refused to say when it will be declared again.

"There is an internal policy within the Department of Agriculture that I need to change, including the registry of farms, safety and logistics...," he said.

When asked about the possible spike of pork prices, Laurel said consumers can still buy imported pork much cheaper than local produce.

"We have imported pork in the market which is cheaper. It has around 100 pesos difference in the price and frozen pork is safe," he noted.

Low compliance with the MSRP was monitored since the DA implemented the policy last March 10. The MSRP sets the prices of pork liempo at P380 per kilo, kasim and pigue at P350 per kilo and P300 per kilo for pork sold by traders to retailers, excluding supermarkets and hypermarkets. Robina Asido/DMS