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DA seizes banned poultry imports from China

December 16, 2022 Cory Martinez 223 views

A “WARRANT of Seizure and Detention” (WSD) has been issued against a company for alleged smuggling of banned poultry products from China.

The warrant was issued following the inspection of three forty-footer container vans consigned to it, initially declared to contain “frozen prawns balls.”

A WSD is being issued upon determination of the probable cause of violation of customs laws, rules, and procedures.

On December 13, 2022, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for DA-Inspection and Enforcement (DA I&E) received information about the “suspicious” shipment at the Manila International Container Port, which was later subjected to physical inspection by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Upon thorough examination, it was revealed that the cargo contained banned poultry meat from China and various meat products from an unregistered brand, with an estimated value of P31.5 million.

According to Assistant Secretary James Layug, containers under the same consignee still need to be inspected.

The absence and inconsistencies in required importation documents suggest that the shipment did not undergo food safety regulations following the Food Safety Act of 2013 or Republic Act (RA) 10611.

“This may be considered as Technical Smuggling under the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act of 2016 (RA 10845),” Layug said.

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