EVERY administration aims to combat the rampant entry of contraband or illegally imported agricultural products into the country.
This significantly reduces the potential revenue for the government if only all products entering the country were legally imported.
Therefore, the Department of Agriculture (DA) has been tasked with addressing this issue.
The DA Inspectorate and Enforcement team was created to oversee the resolution of this long-standing problem of the government.
Billions of pesos worth of smuggled products have been seized in any administration.
However, according to an anonymous source, seized products from anti-agricultural smuggling operations are allegedly being diverted.
In an ambush interview, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. admitted that he received reports about this.
“That is our initial findings, but as far as the last few months of condemned products are concerned, they were all condemned properly. Our enforcement unit is closely monitoring,” said Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. Dept of Agriculture.
DA Spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said that the agency has suggestions to ensure that seized illegal products go through the proper process.
“The Secretary’s suggestion and position is that the DA should be given the authority for condemnation, so the DA will condemn all seized agri products. Currently, there is a third party doing the condemnation and burning to avoid diversion issues,” stressed Asec. Arnel de Mesa, Spokesperson, DA.
SINAG: Diversion of seized smuggled agri products in DA is not new
But, according to the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG), reports that seized smuggled agricultural products are returned to their owners has long been a problem.
Rosendo So, President of SINAG, also suspects that the seized products might end up in the market.
For him, this is a significant problem, especially if consumers unknowingly eat contraband products.
“Food safety means these products might be expired or not for human consumption, yet they are returned. These products are not handled properly, and if consumed by people, it will certainly cause harm. We should take care of these products because they will negatively affect our consumers,” stated Engr. Rosendo So President, SINAG.
He added, there’s a solution to stop this illegal activity
“The real solution is to have a facility that destroys or condemns these products, so we know where the condemned materials are taken,” So added.
Rosendo So emphasized that seized products, especially if proven smuggled should be destroyed and discarded.
The proper process should involve burying or burning the meat.
However, the DA Chief wants to establish a condemnation facility to properly dispose of illegally imported agri-products.
“All products seized at the pier that are illegal, possibly diseased, or contraband should be dealt with to prevent any further nonsense,” said Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Dept of Agriculture.
Meanwhile, the statement of DA Sec. Laurel extending the importation ban on onions until July, initially set to end in late May, is a welcome development for onion farmers.
Laurel said this is due to an oversupply of onions stored in cold storage because of the good production.
Additionally, prices of onions in the market remains affordable to consumers.
But, according to Connie, prices of onions in Commonwealth market in Quezon City is gradually increasing.
“The price increased, previously around March the price was low around P50 to P60. But now, it’s around P80 for medium-sized onions,” Aling Connie, Vendor said.
“Previously, it was harvest season, so the price was lower, but it tends to go up around this time of the year,” Aling Connie added.
Onion farmers in Nueva Ecija appeal to DA vs onion importation ban
Efren Alvarez, an onion farmer from Nueva Ecija is concerned about what might happen after July when the importation banned ends.
He fears that the DA might claim a shortage of onion supply in the country.
“There might be a connivance between the DA and importers, fabricating data that is not actual. The stock levels should be the basis, as we have data on monthly consumption. This is what the DA and BPI should follow,” stated Efren Alvarez, Onion Farmer, Nueva Ecija.
