04 March 2019
Dear friends and colleagues,
Greetings of solidarity!
Resistance and Solidarity Against Transnational Corporation (RESIST), in collaboration with AGHAM Youth, and Philippine Network of Food Security Programmes (PNFSP) invite you in the event, Rise to the Occasion: How Safe Are Rice Imports? A forum on the effects of RA 11203 on food safety, on the 6th of March, 8:30 to 11:30 AM, at the UP Diliman College of Science Administration Auditorium.
The Rice Tariffication Law that was recently signed into a law by President Duterte, has stirred various responses from stakeholders of the local rice industry that includes producers, millers, traders and even consumers. The said law fully liberalized the rice industry opening the local market for the unbridled entry of imports that will be tariffied as a commitment to an agreement under the World Trade Organization.
On the issue of food safety under the Rice Tariffication Law, a clear and rigorous protocol as previously mandated to the NFA must be ensured so that the rice for the consumers are safe. This is aligned with the law, the Food Safety Act of 2013, that implements the food safety regulatory system in the country. In the Rice Tariffication Law, the food safety regulation will be undertaken by the Bureau of Plant Industry through the issuance of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC).
For the consuming public, food safety is a foremost consideration taking into account that the rice imports may contain contaminants that are hazardous to human health. The government should prepare the policy protocol, the manpower and the facilities prior to the full implementation of the Rice Tariffication.
In this context, a public forum will be held to bring into public discussion the current status of the food safety regulatory function of the government, the sufficiency and efficiency of the protocols and standards on food safety of the country and how the public can participate in the assurance of food safety. The public forum will be participated by farmers, people’s organizations and consumers groups.
We hope for your positive response to this important event.
Sincerely,
Rafael Mariano
Co-Convenor
RESIST Network
