Fruit imports to the Philippines are being used to smuggle in contraband vegetables, and the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service (CIIS) have placed all refrigerated containers on alert.
Refrigerated containers, especially from China, now require 100 per cent inspection before release to the market, according to the Sun Star.
“We are also inspecting cold storage facilities in Manila to ensure that no imported vegetables are being stored there and so far, we have found none,” said Johnny Martinez of the CIIS.
The Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) had only approved shipments of garlic and onions.
“They told us that they have not issued permits for vegetables, except for onions and garlic. It seems that imports for other vegetables are not needed because there is already an adequate supply,” said Mr Martinez.
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