THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has issued guidelines on the importation of fish and fishery products, which aim at curbing inflation and diversifying domestic food choices.
Memorandum Order 51 covers the importation of frozen fish and fishery products with a total volume of 25,000 metric tons (MT).
The volume will be divided among salmon, tuna (by-products only), black cod, gindara, sardines, red snapper, grouper, halibut, and species of squid that will not compete with local production.
Another 1,000 MT, meanwhile, will be allocated to the Kadiwa ng Pangulo (KNP) Program and will be limited to small pelagic fish species.
Only individuals, corporations, partnerships, registered fisheries associations or cooperatives with active accreditation as importers can conduct the imports.
A written intent needs to be submitted to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources within seven working days from the issuance of the order, the DA said, adding that only applications with complete documentary requirements will be accepted.
Earlier this year, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. approved the importation of 25,000 MT of pelagic fish species, which must arrive in the country before Jan. 15 next year.
The move was in anticipation of reduced domestic supplies due to a three-month closed fishing season.
The DA is also in discussions for another importation of pelagic fish and is eyeing an additional 8,000 MT to augment supplies and temper higher market prices.
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