Imported fish species destined for processing on an industrial scale but found instead to have been sold in wet markets across the country has prompted the Department of Agriculture to suspend the issuance of import clearance.
The DA said Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel is appalled that the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance for the importation of round scad, mackerel and bonito under the Fisheries Administrative Order 195 – 1999 have been so blatantly subverted.
The DA said that instead of going directly to the various processing facilities for canning, the imported fish end up in retail stalls.
This forced Tiu-Laurel to deny the fish importers the issuance of certificates of necessity to import as required by FAO 195.
The DA said Tiu-Laurel issued Memorandum Order 14 – 2024 on Monday on confirmation that industrial fish catch meant for the factories were diverted into wet markets instead.
The DA said the suspension does not apply on the importation of mackerel for canning purposes provided the volume is based on the vat-able sales of the canned product from the previous year with additional 10 percent of said sales as buffer.
Imported mackerel under this criteria must be clearly labeled for canning purposes only and not for sale or distribution in wet markets and supermarkets.
The memorandum order takes effect 15 days from date of issuance and will remain in force unless revoked in writing.
