Airport plant quarantine officials seized on Monday more than 50 kilograms of fresh fruits from Jinjang, China and Thailand that were not issued with health and sanitary permit from the ports of origin.
Quarantine officer Bart Mesolania said the confiscated plums, Fuji apple, mangoes and mong beans were carried by passengers who failed to present the required documents.
Mesolania stressed the country strictly prohibits the entry of fresh fruits and vegetables, which might carry with them “foreign pests.”
“These pests could infect our vegetable and fruit industry, which might be difficult to control because these pests could be resistant to local pesticides,” he said.
Mesolania said the country requires that all incoming plant products and planting materials should be declared to Customs officers and plant quarantine for inspection and clearance.
“No one is allowed to bring items into the country without plant quarantine clearance issued by the director of the Bureau of Plant Industry,” he added.
Other prohibited items are living plants, seeding, seedless nuts for planting, bulbs/tubers, fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, beans, spices herbs, fruits and dried mushroom, cutflower, mushroom cultures and other commodity capable of harboring plant pest.
Mesolania added that any plant or planting material needs a clearance or permit, as many countries have various existing rules and regulations pertaining to the entry of these items.
“The Bureau of Plant Industry is doing a video shoot at the four airport terminals as additional information materials for the local and foreign travelers bringing in or out of the country prohibited plants, fruits and seeds,” he said.