The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) deplored the recent move of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to slash tariffs on corn imports from countries outside the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), calling it ill-timed as the expected peak harvest season for the commodity started this month.

Under Special Order No. 540, Agriculture Secretary William Dar has formed a technical working group on decreasing corn import duties so as to provide poultry, livestock and fisheries sectors with access to cheaper animal feeds.