DA extends period for issuance of fish import permits to June

FILE PHOTO: Local staff encase the sample fish to a cold box for a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with scientists from China, South Korea and Canada at Hisanohama Port, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023 in Iwaki, northeastern Japan. Eugene Hoshiko/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has extended the period for the issuance of fish import permits to end-June to stabilize supply and prevent price spikes.

This is to give “more time for importers,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in a Viber message to the Inquirer.

In February, the DA authorized the importation of 25,000 metric tons of various frozen fish and seafood.

READ: DA okays 25,000 MT of fish, seafood imports

“This will also add variety in the market, especially for food service industry, since fish and marine species covered by this importation are mostly fish and marine products not caught locally,” Tiu Laurel said earlier.

“This should not affect local fishermen and should help in the ease of doing business,” he added.

Eligible importers had been originally allowed to import various fish and seafood products from March to May.

READ: Strong winds, waves brought lower fish catch in March

Import allocation

In a subsequent issuance, the DA said the last day of issuing sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances (SPSICs) was on April 23. But in a recent memo, the SPSIC issuance was further extended to June 30.

Qualified importers who have yet to utilize their initial allocation of 56 metric tons and subsequent 140 MT, may apply for the combined volume until May 23, based on Memorandum Order No. 27 issued on May 27.

Allocations will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

“Failure to meet the said deadline will be a basis for the forfeiture of the individual allocation and which will then be included in the importation volume for other qualified importers,” it added.

The importation round is open to importers who have been accredited for at least one year before this order was issued and those who participated in previous importations.

Those with pending cases or under investigation for violating food safety or importation rules, incomplete documentary requirements or without Bureau of Customs accreditation at the start of the importation period are excluded.

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