DA mulls lifting ban on sale of imported salmon, pampano in markets

The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Thursday said it is considering lifting the ban on the sale of pampano (pompano) and pink salmon in wet markets.

“We are considering the [lifting] of the moratorium,” Agriculture Deputy Spokesperson Rex Estoperez said in an interview with reporters on Thursday.

Estoperez said the agency took into consideration the ” clamors from legislators and the consumers.”

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), last week, said it will start to confiscate imported pampano and pink salmon being sold in wet markets beginning in December as it is prohibited under the BFAR Fisheries Administrative Order No. 195.

The bureau said pampano and pink salmon can only be sold to institutional buyers including hotels, restaurants, and companies in the canning and processing industries.

Estoperez said the DA scheduled with the BFAR to discuss its Administrative Order No. 195 and “other regulations pertaining to that.”

He said a decision will be made before the BFAR begins confiscating imported pampano and salmon on December 4.

The DA official said the agencies will review the policy to see if it is still relevant.

“Iba na ang panahon ngayon, baka pwede natin i-amend or improve ang mga batas natin,” Estoperez said.

(Our time is different now, maybe we can amend or improve our laws.)

“Definitely, we have to balance the clamor of the consumers and the importers,” he said.

On Tuesday, Senators urged a review of the BFAR’s order, calling it “anti-poor” and “discriminatory.” —NB, GMA Integrated News