The Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday said the issuance of certificate of necessity to import (CNI) as much as 60,000 metric tons (MT) of small pelagic fish in the first quarter of the year is meant to secure the country’s food security.
This after the agency received flak on the plan.
In an online briefing yesterday, DA Secretary William Dar said the agency considered contribution of fish prices to food inflation in making the decision. Inflation hit a high of 7.6 percent in 2021.
Dar added the DA also considered the fact that the closed fishing season in some areas will not be lifted until the end of the month.
Dar added the almost P4 billion damage of Typhoon Odette to the fisheries subsector as well as the disruption of the local mobilization of supply and global supply logistics and the current global uptrend in prices of petroleum, fish feeds and other inputs also influenced their decision to allow the importation.
Among the small pelagic fish that will be part of the CNI are galunggong, sardines and mackerel.
CNI is the document granted to importers of good standing and compliant with food safety guidelines to participate in the importation of agricultural goods.
The last time the DA issued a CNI for small pelagic fish, shipments were apportioned through an auction system with the actual products required to be sold at only P88 per kilogram at a wholesale prices or lower.
Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said there is ample supply of local fish and fish products that are much cheaper.
Rosendo So, SINAG chairman, said in a statement the DA should focus instead on helping local fisherfolk restore their gears and boats as the supply of fish remains available in the ocean.
“Give them boats for them to be able to fish aside from clear rules where and when to fish.
Let us not blame Typhoon Odette and the closed season fishing to allow importation,” So said.
