DA blacklists six more firms, total reaches 16

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has intensified its efforts to combat illegal trade practices by blacklisting six additional companies, bringing the total number of firms on the list to 16.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel confirmed during a press briefing in Malacañang that four out of the ten blacklisted companies have been charged for alleged smuggling activities.

The DA is currently focused on reviewing and addressing the activities of each company listed, which includes firms involved in importing vegetables and fish.

In December, the DA, through its Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), blacklisted ten firms for supposedly engaging in illegal trade activities, marking a significant crackdown on smuggling and other unlawful agricultural trade practices.

The licenses of the blacklisted firms were revoked, with those without proper clearances facing stricter penalties. Kysse Lishh Consumer Goods Trading, RCNN Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, Chastity Consumer Goods Trading, and Golden Rays Consumer Goods Trading did not even have import licenses.