  
  
G/SG/N/6/PHL/14  
 
13 September 2019  
(19-5887) Page: 1/1 
Committee on Safeguards  
 Original: English  
 
NOTIFICATION UNDER A RTICLE 12.1(A) OF TH E AGREEMENT ON  
SAFEGUARDS ON INITIA TION OF AN INVESTIGA TION  
AND THE REASON FOR I T 
PHILIPPINES  
(Rice)  
The following communication dated 12 September 2019 is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of  the Philippines.1 
 
_______________  
 
 
Pursuant to Article 12.1(a) of the WTO Agreement on Safeguards, the Permanent Mission of the 
Philippines to the WTO hereby notifies the Committee on Safeguards of the initiation of a preliminary 
safeguard investigation  on the importation rice from various countries.  
 
1 DATE OF INITIATION OF THE INVESTIGATION  
 
The investigation was initiated o n 11 September 2019.  
 
2 PRODUCT SUBJECT TO THE INVESTIGATION  
 
Rice classified under the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN  2017) Codes 1006.30.30 
(glutinous rice), 1006.30.40 (home mali rice), 1006.30.91 (parboiled rice) and 1006.30.99 (other).  
 
3 REASONS FOR INITIATION OF INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE  
 
The investigation was initiated on the basis of the following:  
 
a. Continued increase in rice imports coincides with the drop in farmgate prices of paddy 
resulting in income loss for farmers;  
 
b. Skyrocketing rice imports significantly affect the Philippines’ ending stock, subsequently 
affecting the positioning of local rice  in the market; and  
 
c. Rice traders abruptly shifted from buying local paddy (paddy) to importing rice, as the latter 
is now more convenient to do.  
 
The investigation has been initiated to determine whether safeguard measures are warranted.  
 
__________  
                                                
1 A copy of the Notice of the Initiation has been submitted electronically. To consult this document 
please contact Ms. Richards  (anne.richards@wto.org ) or Ms. Naville ( delphine.naville@wto.org ) of the Rules 
Division.  
 