Philippines agriculture chief cancels import permit for Vietnamese rice shipment

Francis Tiu Laurel Jr., secretary of the Department of Agriculture, confirmed that his office instructed the Bureau of Plant Industry to nullify the sanitary and phytosanitary import clearance for the MV Tay Son, citing derogatory information about the rice cargo. Although the ship was on its way to the Philippines, the Department acted after Planters Product Inc. warned that the rice contained 5% broken grains instead of the contracted 25% and that the contract had lapsed.

Customs and the Philippine Navy seized the vessel near Davao, and the ship later left without clearance. The navy later intercepted it off Sarangani and brought it to General Santos City, where the captain again refused inspection. The BPI has recommended returning the rice to its origin, while the Bureau of Customs may decide to seize the cargo or impose penalties.