MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday warned companies involved in agricultural smuggling, after the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)’s blacklisted 10 firms allegedly involved in illegal agri-trade practices.
Among the blacklisted companies include LVM Grains Enterprises, Kysse Lishh Consumer Goods Trading, JRA and Pearl Enterprises Inc., Betron Consumer Goods Trading, RCNN Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, and Golden Rays Consumer Goods Trading, which failed to secure sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances from BPI before importing vegetables, fruits, and other food products.
“We have blacklisted more companies in the past six months than in the past six years combined. This should serve as a clear warning to those who attempt to challenge our resolve in going after smugglers and unscrupulous traders whose illegal activities harm our farmers, fisherfolk, and consumers,” DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a statement.
Tiu Laurel said this move is part of DA’s intensified crackdown against smuggling following the enactment of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.
Unlicensed importers include Kysse Lishh, RCNN, Chastity Consumer Goods Trading, and Golden Rays.
Some licensed importers, however, were also found to be involved in anti-competitive practices, price manipulation, and collusion, which include La Reina Fresh Vegetables Young Indoor Plants Inc., Vegefru Producing Store, and Yom Trading Corp, the DA said.
Earlier, Special Assistant to the DA Assistant Secretary for Inspectorate and Enforcement Felicisimo Madayag said the government has seized more than PHP2 billion worth of smuggled agri and fishery products in the country thus far. (PNA)