THE Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) urged the public to immediately report to the agency should they receive unsolicited “mysterious parcels” from abroad that contain unidentified seeds as these may pose risks to the country’s farm sector.
The BPI National Plant Quarantine Services Division (NPQSD) told the BusinessMirror that they have not received any reports about unsolicited parcels containing unidentified seeds, but are nonetheless vigilant about such risk, having learned of the “mystery” parcels in other places.
Various countries such as the United States and Canada have raised biosecurity alarms over mysterious parcels being sent unsolicited to their citizens, based on foreign news reports.
The parcels, with some being tagged as “ear studs,” contained unidentified seeds, which may pose risk to a country’s agriculture sector as it may introduce foreign pests and diseases, according to reports.
Foreign news reports indicated that some of the mystery seeds came from Singapore and China.
The BPI-NPQSD said Filipinos who receive mysterious parcels should immediately report to them so that they can take necessary measures to avert risks to the country’s agriculture sector.
“They can inform our office if they receive such a package so we can impose necessary measures to prevent further entry of commodities that can pose risk to our agricultural sector,” the agency said in an e-mail interview.
“If a report will be furnished to our office regarding this, we can have information and notify all ports of entry to be vigilant in guarding the border for the entry of such packages,” it added.
The BPI-NPQSD assured the public that it is closely coordinating with the Bureau of Customs when it comes to inspection and clearance at the port of entry of shipments under its jurisdiction, which includes plants and seeds.
“If we receive reports that countries are sending such commodities without the required clearances, we can send notifications to our counterpart in the said country,” it said.
BPI-NPQSD explained that importers are required to secure a sanitary phytosanitary import clearance (SPS-IC) from the agency to prove that the incoming shipment complies with Philippine import conditions to avert entry of commodities that could pose risk to the country.
“A Phytosanitary Certificate should also accompany the package during arrival in the country. If the documents are not present, it should not be released at the port of entry,” it added.