The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), said it has blacklisted 10 companies in the past six months for engaging in illegal trade activities.
The agency said in a statement yesterday the move is part of intensified efforts to combat agricultural smuggling, profiteering, hoarding and cartel activities that drive up food prices and destabilize the local market.
“We have blacklisted more companies in the past six months than in the past six years combined. This should serve as a clear warning to those who attempt to challenge our resolve in going after smugglers and unscrupulous traders whose illegal activities harm our farmers, fisherfolk and consumers,” said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.
Tiu Laurel added that with the recent passage of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act, the government is prepared to take more decisive actions against violators.
DA said the companies blacklisted for importing vegetables, fruits and other food products without the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances from BPI include LVM Grains Enterprises, Kysse Lishh Consumer Goods Trading, JRA and Pearl Enterprises Inc., Betron Consumer Goods Trading, RCNN Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, Chastity Consumer Goods Trading and Golden Rays Consumer Goods Trading.
From the said companies, Kysse Lishh, RCNN, Chastity Consumer Goods Trading and Golden Rays are not licensed importers.
Meanwhile, companies found to be involved in anti-competitive practices, such as price manipulation and collusion, have also been blacklisted, including La Reina Fresh Vegetables Young Indoor Plants Inc., Vegefru Producing Store and Yom Trading Corp., which are all licensed importers.
BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban, said that licenses of blacklisted firms have been revoked and those without licenses were banned based on derogatory findings by the bureau.
Tiu Laurel said such actions signal a “renewed commitment” to safeguarding the agricultural sector from illegal practices that affects both the livelihood of local farmers and consumer welfare.
