Rep. Tapai tells Acting DOA Director that he’s not telling the truth

2023-02-01-23-41-24

Despite being told that he was not telling the truth,  the Acting Director of Agriculture, Siauini Taala, stuck to his explanation that the eggs from Samoa were only being imported for trial purposes, while an agreement is being worked out with the Samoa Government about the importation of meat and poultry products.

He told a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee, yesterday, that the eggs were being distributed to restaurants for tryouts. But the cases are not free. They cost $45 a case. When payments are made, the money is sent to the supplier in Samoa, Frankie’s.

First term lawmaker Rep. Tapai Alailepule Benjamin Vaivao told the DOA official that he was not telling the truth. The former customs agent said, the first egg imports arrived after the Samoa talks in Apia, and the explanation was these were for the delegation who attended the meeting including the Governor.

Then regular shipments started arriving, one of which he stopped because he heard that the Department of Agriculture was selling them in stores. When he asked Taala at the hearing if they were selling the eggs to stores he said, “Just restaurants.”

“You’re not telling the truth,” the Faipule told him.

Continuing, Tapai said that the permits for the shipments from Samoa were under Taala’s name, but the witness said that it’s under Agriculture. The lawmaker pressed on, saying a business belonging to Taala was involved. Taala confirmed he has a landscaping business.

Tapai shared with his colleagues that it wasn’t just eggs being imported from Samoa but taro, turmeric lettuce, and other produce as well.

He expressed disappointment that a government agency was operating like a business and not considering local businesses—like the territory’s poultry farmer and growers.

Tapai echoed statements by Rep. Vailoata Amituanai, that he’s not against “our brothers and sisters from Samoa, we are one.” However, we have our own form of government and rules.

Vailoata pointed out that members of the Fono in Samoa are also head of ministries, unlike American Samoa with three independent branches.

He was of the opinion that before the governor signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Samoa PM, that he would deliberate and consult with the Fono leaders and members first.

A copy of the MOU was requested by Committee Chairman, Rep. Ape Mike Asifoa and copies were distributed to the committee and media.

During the hearing, Rep. Titialii Kitara Vaiau said that since the MOU has already been signed, there was nothing the Fono could do about it. But Fagatogo faipule Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr begged to differ.

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This was Taala’s response when Malaeoletale asked if the USDA was aware of the egg imports from Samoa.

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The Acting Director went on to explain that the Dept. of Health had held one egg shipment for a day and after a discussion of the directors, the eggs were released.

He didn’t know if there was an order to destroy the eggs, but guessed maybe it was a recommendation.

Rep. Luaitaua Gene Pan said that the USDA, after a visit to Samoa, banned all meat products from there to the territory in 2003. A former employee of StarKist Samoa, he said that unless the USDA gives its approval, the cannery cannot pack and that’s how strict its regulations are—all for the safety of consumers.

Some felt that the hearing shouldn’t proceed without DOA Director Solia Mutina. Rep. Larry Sanitoa said, Solia was the one who the Fono confirmed to head agriculture but whenever he looks for the director, he’s not here.

He asked if the director is sick or working from off island.

Taala said, the director is working from off island and that they have a briefing every day. Yesterday, he was visiting a poultry farm in Maryland that can produce 30,000 chickens.