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Tuesday, July 04, 2006
RP delisted from GAS action list of Australia
Cebu exporters have just been relieved of one of its burdens, as the Australian Quarantine Inspection and Services (Aqis) has finally delisted the port of Cebu, among other ports in the country, from its giant African snail (GAS) Country Action List.
According to a statement, the Philippines, especially Cebu, is no longer included in the list of GAS-risk areas, according to the June 30 Aqis’ GAS Country Action List.
At least 48 ports of origin, including USA Pacific Islands (American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Marianas Island), and some Asian countries, like Brunei, Cambodia and Indonesia, were included in the list.
Philippine Exporters Confederation Cebu president Allan Suarez said Cebu exporters have been suffering from the blacklisting of Aqis in 2004 because this has forced them to transship exports to Manila ports, which are the only compliant ports in Aqis’ books, as shipping lines refuse to ply the direct Cebu-Australia route for fear of rigid inspections and heavy sanctions of the Aqis.
Cebu exporters have been incurring at least an additional cost of P20, 000 per container aside from losses due to delays in delivery time.
Follow up
Last June 23, Suarez has requested Lealyn Ramos, officer-in-charge of the Bureau of Plant and Industry-Manila to make an official request with the Australian government for the final de-listing of Cebu from the new Aqis country action list.
“There were at least two occasions where Aqis said that they will publish the new GAS country action list in August of 2005 and again in February 2006 but these never materialized,” he said in his letter.
Philexport-Cebu executive director Fred Escalona said he is now seeking further clarifications with Aqis on the de-listment to avoid misinterpretations.
“Unless Aqis officially clarifies the effects of the de-listing of the Philippines, we cannot yet inform our stakeholders that this is absolutely good news with finality.
We are now contacting AQIS officials to clarify the matter with us,” he said.
Philexport Cebu is also set to meet with the Association of International Shipping Lines to discuss and share the “good news” and encourage them to resume direct Cebu-Australia route. (JBN)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 4, 2006 issue)
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