The Department of Agriculture , through its Bureau of Plant Industry , blacklisted 10 companies over the past six months for alleged illegal trade activities, signaling a major crackdown on smuggling and other unlawful practices in the agricultural sector.
Tiu Laurel said the recently-passed Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act enables the government to take more decisive measures against violators. Companies involved in anti-competitive practices such as price manipulation and collusion were also blacklisted. These include La Reina Fresh Vegetables Young Indoor Plants Inc., Vegefru Producing Store, and Yom Trading Corp., all licensed importers.