Philippines Cancels Vietnam Rice Import Permit Over Quality and Timing Dispute
MANILA — The Philippines' Department of Agriculture has cancelled an import permit for a shipment of rice from Vietnam over a dispute involving cargo quality specifications and arrival timing, according to financial media reports. The vessel's captain reportedly refused to comply with an inspection request, after which the ship was ordered back to Davao, while the Bureau of Plant Industry's recommendation to return the rice to Vietnam awaited Customs action.
The Agriculture Department said the permit specified a July arrival, not September, when the wet-season harvest is about to begin. The department said a September arrival could put downward pressure on palay (unmilled rice) prices as local producers bring in their harvest, noting that the government typically schedules import arrivals when domestic supply is tight to avoid depressing farmgate prices during harvest periods. It said it has recommended that the Bureau of Customs seize the cargo and impose appropriate penalties.
Rice is the Philippine staple food, and the country is one of the world's largest rice importers, with Vietnam a major supplier. The case underscores the regulatory requirements Manila applies in balancing supply management, farmer protection and compliance with cargo quality specifications.
(Sources: Philippine Department of Agriculture, Traders Union financial report)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Judgefloro／Public domain（Wikimedia Commons）
