An administration congressman urged the government yesterday to stop the importation of vegetables from Australia.

Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri (Lakas, Bukidnon) made the appeal after learning that 267 metric tons of vegetables were brought in from Down Under during the first nine months of the year.

"Why should the government allow the importation of carrot, broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, celery, potato, and mushroom when the Cordillera Region is producing these in large quantities?  In fact, Baguio's markets are filled to the rafters with veggies," he said.

Unfortunately for Filipino vegetable producers, enterprising importers, abetted by corrupt bureaucrats, have found a way to bring in imported vegetables, he said.

Zubiri batted for a total stop in importation from Australia until the trade dispute involving Philippine-produced bananas and pineapples is resolved.  Australia does not want to accept bananas and pineapples grown here.

"We have become the site of a year-long Australian food festival.  We wash down Australian beef with Australian milk. And yet, they don't even want to take a nibble on our pineapples," he said. 


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