DA-FPA warns against online selling of fertilizers

The Department of Agriculture–Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (DA-FPA) on Sunday warned the public that the online selling and trading of fertilizers and pesticides are prohibited by law, citing a recent memorandum.

The DA-FPA said it does not issue licenses or permits that allow the sale of fertilizers and pesticides through online shopping platforms.

“Fertilizers and pesticides sold online are often untraceable and may be counterfeit, substandard, improperly labeled, or chemically unsafe,” DA-FPA Executive Director Glenn Estrada said in a statement.

Estrada said it is difficult to regulate fertilizers and pesticides sold online because they often pass through unlicensed sellers. This lack of control makes it easy for products to be improperly stored, tampered with, or repacked before reaching buyers, he added.

“These risks are especially dangerous in specialized farming systems such as hydroponics, where precise chemical composition is critical to crop safety and productivity,” Estrada said.

The DA-FPA further noted that some fertilizers and pesticides sold online originate overseas and enter the country without proper registration, quality inspections, or the required Certificate Authorizing the Importation of Pesticides (CAIP).

Products without a CAIP are considered smuggled agricultural inputs, Estrada said.

The DA-FPA, however, clarified that it is open to allowing online sales of such products in the future, provided that a comprehensive regulatory framework is established—one that would permit online transactions once proper licensing systems, traceability mechanisms, and enforcement controls are in place.—MCG, GMA Integrated News