5 fertilizer firms suspended, face probe for violations
The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA) has suspended five firms over alleged violations of fertilizer laws and regulatory policies, including refusal to allow lawful inspections by its personnel and the sale of counterfeit and off-specification fertilizer products.
Other infractions were product mislabeling and the unauthorized movement of products already covered by Stop Sale, Stop Use, Stop Move and Hold (SUMS) orders.
FPA Executive Director Glenn Estrada said some of these firms had participated in government fertilizer procurement and bidding activities such as the fertilizer subsidy program of the Department of Agriculture (DA).
While he did not identify the suspended companies, their names and products will be temporarily removed from the official list of FPA-registered fertilizer handlers and products pending the final resolution of their cases.
The suspension and preventive suspension orders are “a precautionary regulatory measure meant to protect farmers, consumers and the public while investigations and compliance verification remain ongoing,” the FPA said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We cannot allow questionable and noncompliant fertilizer products to undermine our farmers’ productivity and compromise the integrity of government agricultural programs,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said.
Government’s message
“These enforcement actions send a strong message that the government is serious about protecting Filipino farmers and ensuring accountability across the fertilizer industry,” he added.
Parallel to the FPA’s probe, DA regional officials are also being investigated by the Internal Audit Service for possible collusion with erring fertilizer firms.
The DA noted that some cases involve unresolved questions on the validity, traceability and regulatory status of certain fertilizer products and registrations.
The FPA warned that entities found guilty of violating relevant laws and regulations may face penalties such as the suspension or revocation of licenses, disqualification from government transactions and possible criminal charges.
