Importers seek to turn confiscated frozen meat, seafood into relief goods
A memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is being proposed by industry leaders to formalize the process for releasing frozen meat or seafood that has been confiscated or abandoned as long as they are safe for human consumption.
Meat Importers and Traders Association (MITA) chair emeritus Jesus Cham and Fisheries and Aquaculture Board of the Philippines (FAB) chair Chingling Tanco said formalizing such a procedure would address food security and wastage.
Cham and Tanco suggested testing and removing frozen products within two months of seizure or abandonment to address logistical concerns.
“Since meat and seafood that are properly frozen and stored do not pose any health concerns, such products can constitute as a reserve stock of protein to be tapped and utilized in emergency situations,” the groups said in a statement on Wednesday.
“In this manner, port congestion can be avoided, and costs of electricity, storage and demurrage can be lessened,” it added.
Demurrage is a fee imposed on importers when their cargo remains at the port or terminal beyond the allotted free storage time.
Confiscated frozen mackerel
The MITA and the FAB commended the DA’s latest move to request the release of contraband mackerel to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to boost relief efforts.
“In the same manner, DA should attempt to salvage all frozen meat and seafood seized by the Bureau of Customs or abandoned by importers,” it added. “They should likewise be declared wholesome if tested and found to be fit for human consumption.”
The P178.5 million worth of frozen mackerel confiscated by local authorities is fit for human consumption as they did not exhibit any signs of spoilage or contamination as proven by laboratory tests, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in his Nov. 18 letter to Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.
“Consequently, the fish products are deemed fit for immediate release and can be utilized to address food security needs, especially in relief operations,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement over the weekend.
Last month, local authorities seized 580 metric tons of frozen mackerel loaded in 21 container vans. The DA earlier said Pacific Sealand Foods Corp. did not secure the required sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances for the food items that arrived at Manila International Container Port.
Read: DA eyes seized contraband fish for typhoon relief work
