Members of the Makabayan bloc have jointly filed a resolution seeking congressional investigation on the proliferation of smuggled vegetables that were allegedly injected with chemicals to prolong its shelf life.
In House Resolution 2263, the lawmakers underscored the need for the House Committee on Agriculture and Food to conduct the investigation on vegetable smuggling which gravely affects the livelihood of local farmers.
The Benguet Truckers and Traders Association said major markets in the country have been flooded with smuggled carrots from overseas since August.
The League of Associations at La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Areas complained that four container vans full of alleged smuggled carrots are delivered to the Carbon Market in Cebu City every week and being sold for P50 per kilo in various markets.
“The said contraband carrots are believed to be coming from China and are allegedly injected with chemicals to prolong the shelf life,” the resolution read.
The Highland Vegetable Multipurpose Cooperative has also called the attention of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on the “hot cabbages” being sold in Divisoria at P70 per kilo, way below the P115 to P125 prices of Benguet cabbage.
The DA said that it did not issue any importation permits for vegetables.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said the DA and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) must be held accountable for the smuggling of vegetables because it is within their mandate to prevent the smuggling of agricultural products.
The post Love local! Makabayan bloc seeks probe on imported, smuggled vegetables first appeared on .Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)
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