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Saturday, October 22, 2005
P73M worth of imported potatoes flood local market: dad
AMID local farmers' plea for a halt in importation, foreign agricultural products continue to infiltrate the domestic market.
Benguet Provincial Board (PB) Member John Kim reported that around 1.4 million kilos of fresh potatoes loaded in 61 container vans infiltrated the country the past three months. "These potatoes, which were grown in Australia and Germany, entered the country from August to October."
If converted to peso, this would amount to over P73 million, Kim added as he explained that potatoes contained in each van approximately cost about P1.2 million. "And these are all estimated in the minimum price (per kilo)."
Potatoes are sold locally at about P18-20/kilo.
The alderman however clarified that the products entered the Philippines legally because they are covered by importation permits issued by the Bureau of Plant and Industry (BPI).
The Provincial Government has continuously questioned BPI's basis in issuing permits to potatoes coming from Australia and Germany despite the reported absence of Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) of the root crops.
The conduct of a PRA before agricultural products are allowed to enter other countries is one of the safeguard measures required by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Kim is also supportive of the measure seeking to amend the Philippine Plant Quarantine Law, especially the provision, which allows for the free entry of diced vegetables.
Section 6 of the law provides that diced vegetables that are frozen below 18 degrees Celsius are spared from acquiring import permits.
Kim however believes that all agricultural crops, whether fresh or chopped into pieces, should still be covered by permits, claiming the effect in the local economy would still be the same. (JC)
(October 22, 2005 issue)
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