MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary William Dar on Tuesday advised consumers to temporarily refrain from buying vegetables as smuggled agricultural products continued to flood public markets in Metro Manila. ADVERTISEMENTIn a press briefing, Dar said consumers should refrain from buying vegetables in the meantime, adding that there was no way for the agency to determine the pesticide residue of smuggled vegetables that already escaped the hands of the Bureau of Customs. Smuggled agricultural products do not go through quarantine inspection and may host several diseases. Dar said the agency had no idea yet on the volume of smuggled agricultural products that have already entered the country. He added that the DA along with the inter-agency economic intelligence unit was still verifying the entity that smuggled these items.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 28, 2021 20:48 UTC