Benguet farmers buck entry of Chinese veggies

Benguet vegetable farmers are opposing the entry of Chinese potatoes and carrots following the start of Pest Risk Analysis (PRA) tests on Chinese vegetables as a prelude to their entry into the Philippines.

The local farmers said they are  fearful the entry of Chinese produce in the market may unjustly compete with locally-grown vegetables.

"Benguet stakeholders are terribly disturbed over the fact that the government is soon to draft an order that will permit importation of vegetables from China," Benguet mayor Nestor Fongwan said.

Fongwan, in behalf of the Benguet vegetable sector, filed a petition with the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) for the postponement of  the importation of Chinese vegetables until certain safeguard measures are put in place to protect Filipino farmers against the entry of imported carrots and potatoes.

He said Benguet vegetable farmers are requesting  a year-round survey of the local production of carrots by the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) in coordination with the BPI.

The survey would establish the period of lowest and highest supply of carrots in the Philippine market which would then allow the determination of the most appropriate timing for the importation of vegetables from China .

Benguet  farmers also want a guarantee from the BPI for an alternative livelihood program for farmers who may  be dislodged by the carrot importation.

"Vegetable farming is our life. We depend solely on vegetable production for our livelihood. Without a thriving local vegetable trade, we will be reduced to nothing," said Fongwan.

The PRA conducted on Chinese vegetables is part of the Early Harvest Program (EHP) between the two countries.

Under the EHP, the Philippines would allow China to export  selected fresh vegetables to the Philippines at very low tariffs if they pass the PRA.

The PRA is a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measure exercised by the importing countries, in this case the Philippines , as protection against foreign pests that may invade and affect the local plant industry.

Quarantine officials from the BPI, led by Dr. Hernani Golez,  went to Beijing last year to get samplings of Chinese carrots to initiate the PRA.

Under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Philippine and Chinese governments on the EHP signed in 2005 by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Chinese President Hu Jintao, the import of carrots, cabbages, ginger and potatoes from China will continue to be prohibited.