Lab analysis sought to regulate premixes

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — The Confederation of Sugar Producers (CONFED) has suggested to the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to conduct a laboratory analysis of sugar premixes to regulate its entry.

This is one way to solve the problems in the sugar industry, said CONFED, as it asked SRA to order for extensive lab analysis on all premixes entering the country and to require a lab analysis from the country of origin.

CONFED national president Marcelino Aganon Jr. said: "Lab analysis is an indispensable tool in the exercise of regulation."

The suggestion on laboratory analysis was one of the solutions presented by CONFED in a meeting with SRA last February 1 when they suggested solutions to Pablito Sandoval Sr., planters representative to the SRA Board.

Aside from Aganon, CONFED officials present in the dialog were national executive vice president Orlando Aquino, national vice president and Negros-Panay Chapter chairman Raymond Montinola, and Luis Tongoy.

Montinola earlier said the entry of large volume of sugar premixes was one of the big reasons for the slowdown of sugar trading in the past four to five weeks, which in turn caused sugar prices to drop from P2,400 per lkg to P2,200 per lkg.

He added that while importing premixes is legal, the SRA has a mandate to monitor and regulate their supply, and assist the Bureau of Customs in the imposition of proper import duties.

The CONFED officers also recommended that such sugar premix imports be classified as "C" or reserve sugar, if imported during the peak production period so as not to displace domestic sugar production, Montinola said. (FREEMAN)