30.9 C
Manila
Friday, March 29, 2024

PBBM eyes pre-shipment inspection of agricultural goods

- Advertisement -

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is eyeing pre-shipment inspection (PSI) of agricultural commodities to combat smuggling and the spread of diseases. 

The President made the pronouncement after it was recommended by Société Générale de Surveillance SA (SGS) Vice President George Bottomley and Managing Director Cresenciano Maramot during their meeting last Thursday.

Under the proposed scheme, the quality as well as the sanitary and phytosanitary import permits of the Philippines-bound agricultural products will be checked prior to being transported from their country of destination.

The said goods should also be paid prior to their shipment.

“Before they (agricultural commodities) are shipped, they will be inspected to check if they have the right weight quality and record from their destination so these will no longer be done in the Philippines,” Marcos said in Filipino during the meeting.

Based on UN Commodity Trade data, there was a 20.48 percent discrepancy in the reported values of agricultural products, which were imported by the country from 2010 to 2021, resulting in revenue losses for the government.

The discrepancy for swine meat (fresh, chilled or frozen) was higher at 41.89 percent compared to that of edible vegetables, roots and tubers, which was only at 34.74 percent.

The President ordered the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to study the possible implementation of PSI.

“There is also the need to conduct cost analysis first to make sure that no added burden will be imposed on consumers,” the Presidential Communication Office (PCO) said in a statement.

The expense for the PSI, SGS said, should be shouldered by the exporters.

SGS is a Swiss firm, which specializes testing, inspection, and certification of commodities.  

The country contracted its services from 1986 to 2000. It is currently being tapped by DOF to help in the country’s fuel marking program.

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

Latest Articles

- Advertisement -