The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Plant Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with FMC Research Solutions Inc. to initiate a pilot test program aimed at improving the safety and quality of imported agricultural products.
The partnership between DA-BPI and FMC Research seeks to leverage innovative technology to enhance inspection processes and ensure compliance with food safety regulations to ensure the health of Filipino consumers.
BPI is tasked with enforcing food safety and phytosanitary regulations in the country, issuing clearances prior to importation to safeguard human health. The initiative is critical in preventing the entry of unsafe food products and controlling the spread of potential diseases linked to imports.
BPI director Gerald Glenn Panganiban said the MOU with FMC Research aligns with Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr.’s efforts to digitize and streamline the functions of DA and its attached agencies.
“We’re continuously looking at technological solutions to boost our inspection and quarantine capabilities, especially with the recent enactment of the Anti-Agricultural Sabotage Act that gave DA expanded powers to combat the smuggling of agricultural products,” Director Panganiban said.
“With this agreement, we will gain additional verification points for our agricultural product supply. This initiative will complement the existing tools of BPI, allowing us to be more proactive in ensuring the availability of safe, pest-free, and disease-free agricultural commodities,” he added.
FMC Research, a Filipino regulatory technology company, specializes in providing a comprehensive lifecycle monitoring system for imported agricultural products. Under the MOU, FMC Research will conduct a pilot testing program at no additional cost to government.
“In this pilot test program, we shall demonstrate the capabilities and features of our secure solution,” said Melody C. Chua, co-founder of FMC Research Solutions Inc. “We aim to secure an end-to-end system designed to counter the present issues on food safety and agricultural smuggling. Our proposed solution ensures comprehensive coverage to enhance the monitoring and audit functions of regulatory agencies by providing the needed reports and business analytics to aid the Bureau of Plant Industry,” she said.
Chua explained that the adoption of FMC Research’s technology will foster greater transparency in import compliance, ensuring improved food safety and quality for consumers. ###
