The Bureau of Customs – Port of NAIA confiscated 2,032 live ornamental plants for lack of Plant Quarantine Permit before their importation recently.
BOC records show that the plants arrived at the Paircargo warehouse. Physical examination yielded 2,032 pieces of various ornamental plants, including Alocasia, Aglaonema, Pothos, Calathea, Philodendron, Crimson, Monstera, Cactus, Sanseveria, and Rubber Plant.
Aside from violation of Section 1113 in relation to Section 1400, or misdeclaration, under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act, the plants were similarly confiscated for lack of prior Plant Quarantine Permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry, in violation of Department of Agriculture Circular No. 4, series of 2016, and DA Administrative Circular No. 5, series of 2020, a press release from the BOC said.
Pursuant to Section 8, Customs Administrative Order No. 10-2020, all seized items were immediately turned over to the BPI for quarantine and immediate disposal, to prevent the spread of possible plant diseases and pests that can severely affect the local agriculture.
The BOC-NAIA reminds the public that prior to importation of any plant, a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance from the Bureau of Plant Industry is required.
The BOC-NAIA, under the leadership of district collector Mimel Talusan, has been steadfast in protecting the local industry from any possible agricultural epidemic, in full support to the directive of Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero to continuously monitor and safeguard the country’s borders, the press release added.*
