The head of the Department of Agriculture (DA) has sounded the alarm over what he describes as a “wild west” environment in the country’s food systems, citing a lack of regulation and increasing instability.
Speaking at a recent industry forum, the DA chief highlighted the proliferation of unregulated practices, from the entry of substandard imports to the rise of informal market channels that bypass standard quality and safety checks. He warned that without immediate intervention, consumers and legitimate producers could suffer.
“We are seeing a situation where rules are being ignored, and there is little accountability,” the official said. “This is not sustainable. We need to restore order and ensure that our food systems are safe, fair, and reliable.”
The DA chief called for stricter enforcement of existing laws and the creation of new mechanisms to monitor and regulate the supply chain. He also urged local governments and industry stakeholders to cooperate in addressing the issue.
Analysts note that the warning comes amid rising food prices and concerns over food security, exacerbated by global supply disruptions and climate change impacts.