March 26, 2004

Philippines To Monitor Corn Import From Bird Flu Countries

The Philippine Bureau of Customs will closely monitoring shipments of imported corn from bird flu-infected countries which are expected to arrive early next week.

At least 400,000 metric tons of corn from Thailand, Vietnam and China are scheduled to arrive early April to stave off possible shortage of poultry feeds which raised the price of poultry products.

Customs Commissioner Antonio Bernardo, however, said they have not yet been advised by the Department of Agriculture to impound the arriving shipments, despite recommendation from the Bureau of Animal and Industry to ban corn importations from Thailand, Vietnam and China.

The BI has issued an advisory to DA to ban the importation of corn from three Asian countries which entails high risks of contracting bird flu since loading of corn usually attract birds and their "droppings" or "dregs" could cause disease to local poultry industry.

At least 24 people have been confirmed dead from bird flu in Vietnam, Thailand, China, Canada, and Taiwan since last year.

Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence Ray Allas has alerted his units to watch for the incoming corn shipments and be ready to confiscate them, should DA comes out with the ban importation order.

Meanwhile, Bernardo ordered all shipments particularly fruits, vegetables and nuts be subjected to mandatory magna scale weighing prior released from Customs custody.

The order was to ensure the collection of proper duties and taxes. The old practice of accepting what had been declared in the manifest on the weight of the cargo had resulted in the erroneous computation of the duties and taxes due them.

The magna scale weigh in scheme will determine the true weight of the shipment, he added.