The ban on the sale of imported pompano and salmon in wet markets and groceries may be temporarily lifted, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).
This is being considered after drawing flak from consumers and legislators for being “anti-poor,” the DA said.
Earlier this week, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources mentioned plans to strictly implement Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) 195 series of 1999 which prohibits the entry of imported fish into domestic wet markets if not covered by a certificate of necessity to import (CNI).
Both pompano and salmon are not covered by any CNI and imported supply of such may only be sold to industrial users such as hotels and restaurants.
“We are considering a moratorium without a fixed date since we also want to use this as a chance to revisit FAO 195 and other regulations pertaining to that,” Rex Estoperez, DA deputy spokesperson, said in a briefing yesterday.
Estoperez said the final decision will likely be released today as the DA wants to review the policy if it is still attuned to the times or may need amendments and improvements.
The DA said the policy on the sale of imported pompano and salmon is also being balanced carefully since despite consumer preference especially for the holiday season, such move may negatively affect local producers of tilapia and bangus.
During the same venue, the DA also warned that it may resort to importation of onions if local traders and farmers will not cooperate in bringing down its retail cost.
