DA redoubles efforts vs agri goods smuggling

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The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pitching a two-pronged approach to stymie the illegal entry of agricultural goods into the country while beefing up local production.

At the same time, Agriculture Secretary William Dar issued a “stern” warning against DA officials and staff who are in cahoots with illegal importers and smugglers resulting in the proliferation of smuggled food products.

First, the DA will continue to intensify border protection and coordination efforts with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other agencies. That way, all misdeclared food items will be held immediately.

Second, the agency will continuously provide farmers with the much-needed logistics and infrastructure support that would enable them to produce more food and sell their products with reasonable profit, especially during peak season when prices are low.

By providing the necessary support and assistance, traders will not be able to take advantage of agricultural producers.

“Our unified efforts must not be negated by smuggling. Let it be clear that our goal is to help our farmers and fisherfolk boost their productivity, income, and livelihood,” Dar told key agriculture officials in a meeting.

He also said DA officials and staff who will be found guilty of engaging in the illicit activity will be charged with appropriate administrative case and suspended.

At present, only the BOC has the police power to apprehend and go after suspected smugglers under the law, but Dar said the agency can inspect and recommend to the BOC the confiscation of smuggled goods.

“Smugglers usually get away with their crime by passing through legal channels, using technical smuggling schemes, like misdeclaration, undervaluation or misclassification. Let us strengthen the law by looking at the lapses where we can further improve the system,” he added.

Agriculture Assistant Secretary Federico Laciste Jr. reported that between 2019 and 2022, the technically-smuggled agri-fishery commodities totaled P667.5 million, of which P10 million was apprehended from 2019 to 2020.

Laciste said 153 container vans and 5,000 boxes of fishery products with an estimated value of P548.5 million were seized last year, and another P109 million worth of misdeclared vegetables, meat and fishery products this year.

Earlier, the Sub-Task Group on Economic Intelligence (STG-EI)—an integrated regulatory enforcement composed of the DA, BOC, Department of Trade and Industry, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency and Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group—confiscated 46 boxes of smuggled carrots and broccoli being sold in Divisoria Market for the infringement of the Food Safety Act of 2013.

Laciste said the BOC is conducting further investigation for case buildup against the identified owners for violating the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016.

“The STG-EI and BOC have been conducting surprise inspection operations to prevent the proliferation of smuggled vegetables that pose serious public health hazards due to noncompliance with sanitary and phytosanitary measures,” added Laciste.