BOC's efforts to curb vegetable smuggling hailed

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Benguet farmers and officials hailed the Customs bureau for successfully stopping 40-footer container vans packed with illegally imported potatoes and carrots from China weeks before the peak season during the Holidays.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) seized three 40-footer container vans of illegally imported fresh vegetables worth P7.5 million from China,  bared Benguet governor Nestor Fongwan.

The BOC had said the container van had permits allegedly for apples and household wares but actually contained potatoes and carrots.

One of the vans was not a refrigerated vehicle causing the produce to spoil after its apprehension at the Manila International Container Port on November 14.

Agot Balanoy, speaking in behalf of the Benguet Farmers Cooperative based at the La Trinidad trading post,  said the government has stepped up its efforts to curb vegetable smuggling.

“This is the first time that vegetables being brought to various government-assisted vegetable supply staging points here are brimming, hence affecting the prices,”  Balanoy said.

Although farmers usually earn more during the Christmas holidays,  the oversupply of vegetables is pulling prices down, Balanoy said. - Artemio A. Dumlao