CAFI condemns Australia, Belgium unfair trade practice

The Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. on Saturday threw its all-out support to Philippine government efforts at correcting unfair farm trade practices of Australia and Belgium, condemning the two nations of using sanitary and phytosanitary issues to block entry of certain local farm and fish export commodities into their respective markets.

"It's about time we have to come out in the open and denounce in strongest possible terms these disgusting tactics employed by Australia and Belgium," said Eduardo Rondain, CAFI secretary general.

The chamber was reacting to news reports Agriculture Secretary Edgardo Angara had virtually ignited a farm trade war with the two countries over Australia's adamant refusal to allow entry of fish sauce (patis) and fresh Philippine tropical fruits into its territory, and Belgium's order to ban local canned tuna, a major dollar earner for the country.

Australia, which enjoyed in 1998 a lop-sided $512 million farm trade imbalance with the Philippines, refuses to accept patis on allegations it contains high level of benzoic acid.