The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry has blacklisted 10 companies in the past six months for engaging in illegal trade acts.
In a statement on Tuesday, DA said these companies are blacklisted for importing vegetables, fruits, and other food products without the BPI’s sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances.
Of these trading companies, four are not licensed importers.
Meanwhile, four other companies were found to be involved in anti-competitive practices, such as price manipulation and collusion.
BPI Director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said the licenses of blacklisted firms have been revoked, while those without licenses have been banned.
“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,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
Blacklisting firms engaging in illegal trading is part of DA’s move to combat agricultural smuggling, profiteering, hoarding, and cartel activities, which are cited to “drive up food prices and destabilize the local market.”
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that rice inflation eased to 5.1% last November, which is the lowest inflation print for the grain since July 2023. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
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