Experts
from the plant industry are intensifying quarantine and pest-risk analysis
(PRA) procedures to protect consumers and farmers from the entry of unsafe
imported rice and palay.
“PRA is a very important part of the pre-border
quarantine to identify risks associated from commodities imported to our
country like palay. This is to avoid the threats of pests and seed-borne
diseases from other countries,” said Gerald Glen F. Panganiban, Bureau of Plant
Industry (BPI)’s Assistant Director for Regulation.
Mr. Panganiban
explained that as pre-offloading quarantine measure, experts examine the
conditions of imported commodity, its performance, and risks attached to its
importation.
Study published in the book, “Competitiveness of
Philippine Rice in Asia,” found that farmers from neighboring countries such as
Vietnam and Thailand, “intensively apply” pesticides throughout the rice
growing season. With the lifting of the quantitative restriction, a larger
volume of imported rice and rice seeds is expected from these countries.
Another study from the National Crop Protection Center,
University of the Philippines Los Baños showed that rice receives the largest
volume of pesticides
particularly during post-harvest and remain on the husk.
The study also shows that environmental risks from pesticides can emerge from
rice cultivation as residues passing through irrigation canals eventually end
up in bodies of water.
Mr. Panganiban added that the country has been importing
rice seeds before the implementation of rice tariffication law.
“We have been importing rice seeds for research and
propagation, but not for planting. BPI is willing to work and collaborate to
ensure the safety of the rice and plant industry,” Panganiban said.
Panganiban also urged the public to be vigilant.
“If you know of a commodity, which has entered the
country without quarantine, do not hesitate to contact BPI,” he said.
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