WHEREAS, there was a reported case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or Mad Cow disease in the U.S.A. and Canada;

WHEREAS, there is an increasing scientific evidence that the new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (nvCJD or vCJD) in human could be transmitted by eating BSE-affected animals;

WHEREAS, the Philippines imports beef tripe and ox tongue from U.S.A and Canada; and

WHEREAS, the Office International de Epizooties (OIE) considers beef tripe and ox tongue as non-BSE specified risk materials.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LUIS P. LORENZO, JR., Secretary of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby institute precautionary measures to prevent entry of BSE contaminated beef tripe and ox tongue from USA and Canada, and prescribe the following:

1. The source animal is thirty (30) months old and below;
2. The said products are free of BSE specified risk materials;
3. Items 1 and 2 shall be duly certified by the United States Department of Agriculture and Canadian Food Inspection Agency or by a third party certification agency accredited by the Philippine Department of Agriculture;
4. All shipments into the country of beef tripes and ox tongue from the U.S.A and Canada not complying with these conditions shall be confiscated by all DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major sea/air ports.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 25 June 2004


(SGD.) LUIS P. LORENZO, JR.
Secretary