MANILA, Aug. 21 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday urged rice industry stakeholders in Vietnam to "rethink" plans against the Philippines over its impending 60-day rice import ban.

This came after the local rice industry reportedly requested the Vietnamese government to file a complaint against the Philippines in the World Trade Organization (WTO), considering the effects of the two-month import halt starting Sept. 1.

In an interview, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the administration is merely implementing a "protective measure" for local palay (unhusked rice) farmers amid the approaching wet harvest season.

The local palay harvest is set to begin in September and peak in October.

"It's not the gov...