THE importation of agar-wood producing species that are ‘exotic’ is easier said than done, specially if it is intended for commercial purposes, an official of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.
Generally, the government does not allow the importation of exotic species, and if ever, it requires a strict regulatory process.
“This is unlike when you are importing an endemic species which is much easier,” Theresa M. Tenazas, lawyer and OIC Division Chief of the Wildlife Resources Division of the DENR-BMB, said.
Not all Aquilaria species are endemic to the Philippines and those that are non-endemic or “exotic” will need to pass the proverbial “eye of the needle” to get approval from the DENR-BMB, according to Tenazas.
Tenazas was reacting to a BusinessMirror report citing the importation of Aquilaria Mallacensis by Iba Botanicals Inc. for the purpose of commercial propagation.
Iba Botanicals became the first company to secure a “wildlife culture permit” (WCP) for the commercial propagation in the country of the Aquilaria Mallacensis, which produces premium quality agarwood or resinous heartwood, the most expensive forest product in the world.
“Planting of endemic species and importing it back to the Philippines will not entail problems as compared to the importation of exotic Aquilaria species,” she said.
Citing the case of importing Aquilaria Mallacensis, Tenazas said those who applied for import permits, for the purpose of commercialization will be granted by the DENR-BMB with ease because it is endemic to the Philippines, which means there’s no danger of introducing a potentially invasive species that may result in biodiversity loss.
But not all people can just import and plant any tree species if they are to commercialize it later on.
For purpose of commercialization, the importer must have a WCP so that when the time comes that they are to sell them locally or abroad, they can show proof of legal source for their product or byproduct.
Aside from the DENR-BMB, an importer of plants or animal species for commercial purposes like animal breeding or plant breeding will also have to undergo a strict regulatory process imposed by the Department of Agriculture (DA). For one, the Bureau of Plant Industry ensures that the plant being imported is disease-free and must undergo quarantine procedures.
On the part of the DENR-BMB, strict regulatory requirements are imposed under Republic Act (RA) 9147 (Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act) and RA 7586 (National Integrated Protected Areas System, or Nipas, Act.
“The general rule is, we do not really allow the importation of exotics,” Tenazas said.
Such measure is put in place to prevent the danger posed by the introduction of non-native species into the wild.
According to Tenazas, Section 13 of the Wildlife Act, which pertains to the introduction of exotic wildlife, states that “no exotic species shall be introduced into the country unless a clearance from the Secretary or the authorized representative is first obtained.”
The law added: “In no case shall exotic species be introduced into protected areas covered by RA 7586 and to critical habitats under Section 25 hereof.”
The provision also states that in cases where introduction is allowed, it shall be subject to an environmental impact study, focusing on the bioecology, socioeconomic and related aspects of the area where the species will be introduced.
Lastly, it states that the proponent shall also be required to secure the prior informed consent from the local stakeholders.