The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) has expressed concern over China’s mandatory disinfection of food imports as a precautionary measure against Covid-19, as it could hike business costs and affect shipments to the Philippines’s second-largest export market.

PBGEA Executive Director Stephen A. Antig told the BusinessMirror that the shipments of some of the group’s members were disinfected by Chinese officials even if the guidelines are not yet “implementable.”

Citing the Department of Agriculture (DA), Antig noted that China has just submitted the proposed guidelines to the World Trade Organization for comments.

Antig said at least three PBGEA members have reported that their shipments were disinfected in at least two different ports in China.

He said the disinfection of food imports, particularly cold chain food, prior to distribution could pose problems for banana exporters as it will increase their cost and result in the deterioration of the quality of their shipments.

Antig said PBGEA received an English translation of Beijing’s latest guidelines on food imports last week from the Philippine Agriculture Attaché to China.

“If they implement these guidelines it may increase cost and affect the quality of fruits. China’s plan is to spray disinfectant on the boxes of bananas arriving in China and let it dry for 3 to 4 hours in an open area,” he said.

“So, there is a possibility that after spraying six sides of the boxes the disinfectant may seep into the fruits. So what if the chemicals they sprayed have some effect on the health of consumers? Then that will be a problem for us.”

Antig said PBGEA has already raised the issue with concerned DA agencies, but his group is planning to submit a formal letter to Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar.

He said PBGEA will urge the DA to hold a dialogue with Chinese officials on how the guidelines would be implemented and to determine the impact of the rules on banana exporters, particularly on small growers who depend on China.