Yesterday, as a House of Representatives panel concluded months-prolonged inquiry into allegations of rampant smuggling of agricultural items from China and Korea, collectively with carrots, onions, and strawberries. In consequence, Agriculture Secretary William Dar has requested lawmakers to create legal guidelines Which will fold all meals safety regulatory bureaus into Simply one agency, the Division of Agriculture.
Tuesday’s deliberations uncovered extra gaps Inside the inspection procedures as lawmakers grilled The prime of the Bureau of Plant Enterprise that has that mandate of inspecting and quarantining imported agricultural items for pests and illnesses.
Thrusted into the spotlight have been 5 Bureau of Plant Enterprise inspectors whom one importer sued for alleged extortion after the latter’s crop imports from China have been barred from entry. Lawmakers requested the agency to droop the Bureau of Plant Enterprise inspectors named Inside the grievance whereas the investigation is ongoing. The house panel additionally summoned the bureau inspectors for questioning all by way of Tuesday’s listening to however bureau officers said They’ve internet connection factors And might’t joInside the House inquiry.
Meanwhereas, the Division of Commerce and Enterprise (DTI) has additionally requested lawmakers to institutionalize an interagency process group on financial intelligence to go after smugglers.
Supply: cnnphilippines.com
