Yesterday, as a House of Representatives panel concluded months-long inquiry into allegations of rampant smuggling of agricultural goods from China and Korea, including carrots, onions, and strawberries. As a result, Agriculture Secretary William Dar has asked lawmakers to create legislation that will fold all food safety regulatory bureaus into just one agency, the Department of Agriculture.
Tuesday’s deliberations exposed more gaps in the inspection procedures as lawmakers grilled the head of the Bureau of Plant Industry that has that mandate of inspecting and quarantining imported agricultural goods for pests and diseases.
Thrusted into the spotlight were five Bureau of Plant Industry inspectors whom one importer sued for alleged extortion after the latter’s crop imports from China were barred from entry. Lawmakers asked the agency to suspend the Bureau of Plant Industry inspectors named in the complaint while the investigation is ongoing. The House panel also summoned the bureau inspectors for questioning during Tuesday’s hearing but bureau officials said they have internet connection problems and cannot join the House inquiry.
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has also asked lawmakers to institutionalize an interagency task group on economic intelligence to go after smugglers.
Source: cnnphilippines.com