DA to blacklist agri importers over alleged smuggling activities

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is poised to blacklist some unscrupulous importers of agricultural products over alleged smuggling.

"You will see in the next few months, marami akong iba-blacklist na kumpanya (I will blacklist several companies),” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. told reporters in a dinner chat.

“We are just getting proof… that's economic sabotage. The government is doing everything to fix the situation. But these smugglers are destroying industry by undercutting everybody because of the illegal acts," Tiu Laurel said.

The Agriculture chief said those who will be blacklisted include one rice importer, two fish importers, and one sugar importer.

Tiu Laurel also recalled that he ordered the cancellation of the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance (SPSIC) of a rice trader in Batangas.

“Nahuli namin na pagpasok ng bigas, 20% lang iyong ide-declare (We caught it declaring only 20% of its rice shipments),” he said.

The DA chief added that the agency is imposing a stricter compliance policy on the declaration of SPSIC.

"Gumawa ako ng bagong rule na kapag umalis iyong barko mula sa origin, after 24 hours, kailangan i-declare nila (I came up with a new rule that when the ship leave from its port of origin, after 24 hours, they have to declare it) by email to BOC (Bureau of Customs), to us, to DA-IE (Department of Agriculture-Inspectorate and Enforcement),” Tiu Laurel said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News