A new threat

Whoever said that our agricultural sector is better off now must be dreaming. The country’s agricultural trade deficit has deteriorated to a record $1.702 billion last year or more than seven times the $149-million deficit in 1995, the year before the government started liberalizing imports in compliance with the GATT Uruguay Round agreement.

According to House special committee on globalization chair Rep. Herminio Teves, our widening farm trade deficit betrayed the rapid decline in the competitiveness of local farmers, which is being eroded by inadequate import tariff protection and scarce government subsidy.

I couldn’t agree more. While foreign farmers continue to be heavily subsidized by their governments, a reality that led to the collapse of the recent World Trade Organization talks in Cancun, Mexico, Filipino farmers hardly get any. Our own government, save for some Cabinet members like Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo and Trade Secretary Mar Roxas and a few legislators, are still not convinced that protecting our farmers is important. Many don’t still see why we should produce our own food when we can import anyway.

One aspect which these misguided members of our government should look into very seriously is bioterrorism, which right now is the best argument why they should be wary about the food that we bring in.

The US Department of Health and Human Services and the Food and Drug Administration have just announced new rules for the monitoring and inspecting of imported food in order to better protect consumers from deliberate or accidental contamination of food.

These new regulations require foreign companies that manufacture or process food for human and animal consumption in the US to register with the FDA beginning last Oct. 16. They also require importers to register with the FDA to be authorized operators and that they inform the US government in advance of every shipment of goods that will be crossing the borders into the US. The regulations will take effect on Dec. 12.

The new rules are part of the FDA’s new authority to protect the nation’s food supply against actual or threatened terrorist acts and other food-related emergencies. These rules will not apply though to food regulated by the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service which includes meat, poultry and egg products. Products covered include dietary supplements, infant formula, beverages, fruits, vegetables, canned and frozen food, candy, baked foods, gum, live animals, and feeds.

During the 1990s, the issue of food safety became an increasing concern in the US with instances of pathogens and toxic chemicals being found in food. The concern became even stronger after Sept. 11, 2001 with the possibility that terrorists could use the food supply to farm the US public.

The fact that our military has reportedly found residues of a supposed biological weapon, perhaps a strain of the tetanus virus (although they say that this is not yet confirmed, maybe so as not to create panic), is already a cause for alarm. What would stop terrorists from poisoning our food supply when the whole world knows the support our country has extended to the US.

If our government cannot make us feel secure about our safety, then it should at the least assure us that the food we eat is safe.

Meralco Will Have To Wait

Contrary to some media reports, the Energy Regulatory Commission has not yet given its imprimatur to Meralco’s new rate increase application.

ERC chairman Manuel Sanchez has given assurances that the welfare of the consumers is its primary concern and that it will examine – like a hawk‚ all applications for an electricity rate hike.

According to Sanchez, Meralco’s rate hike petition which was submitted to the ERC last Oct. 10 is still being evaluated as to whether or not there is basis for the request. The application will likewise be subjected to a series of consultations with consumer groups and advocates, NGOs, and concerned citizens.

Hidden Agenda can be reached at [email protected]