The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday projected having reintroduced the pre-shipment inspection of commodities and goods at the ports of origin ahead of the installation of the country’s first cold examination facility for agriculture (CEFA) next year.
Pre shipment inspections relate to the practice of verifying shipment details as price, quantity and quality of goods by private entities at the ports of origin on behalf of governments. Such arrangements prevent the entry of plant pests and diseased animals. It also helps to deter the smuggling of taxable goods, among other benefits.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said pre-shipment inspection systems could be up and running in only three months to bolster food safety and curb smuggling activities detrimental to farmers and public health.
Tiu Laurel acknowledged the proposal requires Department of Finance approval and the need to strengthen border controls given the emerging health and economic challenges posed by imported agricultural products in recent months.
Tiu Laurel said the first reported case of Q fever in the country traced to imported goats from the US and persistent agricultural smuggling activities highlight the need to put up border control measures such as pre shipment inspection arrangements.
Tiu Laurel said the first of five CEFAs serving as sanitary and phytosanitary inspection facilities for imported animals, fish, plant and agricultural products will start operations by early next year in Angat, Bulacan.
According to him, the Bulacan CEFA is under construction by private contractors with equipment procurement underway to meet the January or February 2025 operational timeline..
Tiu Laurel reiterated plans are also underway to open four more CEFAs by September 2025 in Manila, Subic, Davao and General Santos City.
The CEFAs in Angat and General Santos City have DA-funded laboratories. Comprehensive facilities are planned at the major ports and fish ports including the Manila International Container Terminal, Subic Bay International Corp., Davao International Container Terminal, Manila South Harbor, New Cebu International Container Port, Batangas International Port, Navotas Fish Port, Iloilo International Container Port and Misamis Oriental.
The CEFA project had a budget of P2.3 billion last year which was cut to only P1.2 billion this year due to the offer by International Container Terminal Services Inc. to host most of the facilities at the ports where it operates.
