AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said he plans to crack down on traders diverting imported fish meant to wet markets.
Laurel told reporters yesterday that the crackdown will target importers instead of retailers selling these commodities.
“‘Yong mga taga-palengke wala namang kasalanan eh, sa totoo lang. Ang may kasalanan ‘yong mga nagpapasok eh. Kawawa ‘yong mga nasa palengke. They just need income. I don’t think the crackdown will be on the palengke level. Doon sa registered importers,” Laurel said.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier suspended the issuance of import clearances for galunggong, mackerel and bonito.
Laurel emphasized that diverting imported fish to wet markets has been going on for a decade, even if it is illegal. Around 90,000 to 100,000 tons of imported fish were being diverted per year, he said.
“I’m from the industry as you know. I just came into DA as of the first week of November so technically, alam ko lahat ng kalokohang nangyayari diyan,” he said.
However, Laurel pointed out that the suspension was timed to coincide with the fishing season of small, municipal, and commercial fishers to ensure that prices would be stable. (ABS-CBN News)
