The Department of Agriculture (DA) is poised to revoke the import licenses of five more agricultural food importers after it blacklisted three importers over illegal trade activities.
“We will not tolerate these importers’ illegal practices that undermine government revenues and put public health at risk. It’s our duty to protect our farmers and Filipino consumers,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) blacklisted LVM Grains Enterprises on May 21, 2024 for importing milled rice, cashew nuts and coffee without the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances.
Kysse Lishh Consumer Goods Trading and Golden Rays Consumer Goods Trading were also blacklisted for illegally importing onions and oranges, the DA said.
Meanwhile, the import licenses of five other firms were suspended pending revocation on alleged misdeclaration, illegal importation and anti-competitive trade practices.
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is leading the prosecution of the companies accused of engaging in anti-competitive trade activities.
“We will withhold the identities of these five importers because their cases are still pending. Until the cases are resolved, they cannot transact with BPI,” said BPI director Gerald Glenn Panganiban.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed into law in September 2024 a measure classifying smuggling, hoarding and cartel operations involving agricultural products as economic sabotage.
The law imposes stiffer fines and longer jail terms for violators.
Under the law, smuggling and hoarding of agricultural products are considered economic sabotage when the value of goods exceeds P10 million.
