La Trinidad Warns Public Over Allegedly Smuggled Broccoli Sold in Local Markets

Excerpt: The La Trinidad municipal government has warned consumers about allegedly smuggled broccoli reportedly being sold in markets in La Trinidad and nearby Baguio City, as authorities and farmers’ groups move to address concerns over illegal vegetable imports.

The Municipal Government of La Trinidad has issued a public advisory warning consumers about allegedly smuggled broccoli reportedly being sold in local markets in La Trinidad and nearby Baguio City.

According to the advisory released by the Mayor’s Office, the Cordillera Broccoli Traders and Farmers Association raised concerns over broccoli believed to have been illegally imported and circulated in local markets.

How the Reported Smuggled Broccoli Is Identified

The farmers and traders group said the broccoli in question can reportedly be distinguished from locally grown produce by several physical characteristics, including:

• Uniform sizes
• Neatly cut bottoms or a “flower cut”
• Absence of stems

These characteristics, according to the association, differ from the appearance of broccoli commonly grown and harvested in Benguet.

The municipal government, however, has not yet released laboratory findings confirming the contents or possible chemical treatment of the vegetables.

Samples to Undergo Laboratory Testing

The group expressed concern that vegetables entering the country outside legal importation and inspection processes may not have undergone the required screening.

It also raised the possibility that preservatives or other chemicals may have been used to extend the vegetables’ shelf life. This has not yet been confirmed, and samples of the reported illegally imported broccoli are set to undergo laboratory testing to determine their contents.

According to Augusta Balanoy of the League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post, a sample of the broccoli reportedly arrived in La Trinidad on September 4 and was still observed to appear fresh on September 21.

It was compared with locally grown broccoli harvested on September 20 and delivered to the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post early the following morning.

Farmers Raise Livelihood Concerns

Aside from the questions surrounding food safety and inspection, farmers and traders warned that illegally imported broccoli and other highland vegetables could adversely affect the livelihood of farmers in Benguet and other parts of the Cordillera.

The farmers’ group said locally grown broccoli is harvested closer to the time it reaches the market and does not undergo the lengthy storage and transport typically associated with imported produce.

The League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Post also noted that the highland vegetable industry continues to deal with concerns involving allegedly smuggled carrots entering markets elsewhere in the country.

The group called for stronger coordination among government agencies, local government units, farmers, traders and consumers in addressing vegetable smuggling.

La Trinidad, DA-Cordillera Coordinate Response

The La Trinidad municipal government said it is working with farmers’ and traders’ organizations and the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera to coordinate with other local government units regarding the reported illegal entry of highland vegetables.

The issue was also discussed during meetings between local officials, farmers’ groups and DA-Cordillera officials as authorities considered possible actions against illegal vegetable importation.

The municipal government urged consumers not to patronize vegetables suspected to have been smuggled into the country and encouraged the public to report suspected illegally imported broccoli being sold in public markets to the proper authorities.

Source

Mayor’s Office, Municipal Government of La Trinidad, Benguet
Public Advisory on Smuggled Broccoli Sold at Local Markets