UNITED Nations data confirm that smuggling of agricultural commodities is thriving in the Philippines, a farmers' group claimed on Tuesday. The Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) alleged that based on UN Comtrade figures, at least 300 million kilos of rice, 45.5 million kilos of pork, 76 million kilos of chicken, 23.04 million kilos of onions, 6.7 million kilos of garlic and 12 million kilos of vegetables have been smuggled into the country. Under Republic Act 10611, or the "Food Safety" law, quarantine inspection should be conducted prior to tariff collection. "We remain to be the only country that is not applying the global standard of quarantine inspection at the port of first entry of imported food, food products and agricultural commodities that would ensure food safety and public health amid the Covid-19 pandemic and avert the unrestrained smuggling of agri-food products," So pointed out. "Smugglers remain inspired and unrestrained because no one among them has been put to jail despite the clear provisions of RA 10845 (the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act)," it added.

Source: Manila Times January 05, 2022 01:13 UTC