In support to the Swine Genetic Improvement Program, these guidelines on the accreditation of Swine Breeding farms are hereby issued.

I. OBJECTIVES

1. To identify, accredit and promote swine farms with improved genetics and quality breeders; and
   
   
2. To sustain the advanced status of the swine industry by ensuring availability and distribution of good quality breeder stocks, particularly among backyard farmers.
   

II. CRITERIA FOR ACCREDITATION

1. Legal Requirements - The swine farms must be a registered business entity with permit to operate.
   
   
2. Technical Requirements - The swine farms must have:
   
   2a.    Facilities for testing and identification of genetically superior pigs.
   
   
   * Testing pen (minimum of 25 test pens with 1-5 animals per pen)
   * Backfat tester or lean meter
   
   
   2b.    Records specifying lineage of the animals (lines/strains used), average daily gain, and feed conversion ratio.
   
   2c.    Pedigree and a certificate of vaccination for Foot and Mouth Disease and Hog Cholera of all animals sold.

For breeder farms producing purebreds, the farms should maintain the following minimum number of breeding animals per breed:


For multiplier or breeder farms producing crossbreeds, the farms should source their breeder stocks from accredited purebred producers or franchise holders of reputable hybrids.

III. ORGANIZATION/MANAGEMENT/GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

Pursuant to Administrative Order No. 22, series of 2000, a 5-man Swine Accreditation Board (SAB) supported by a Technical Working Committee (TWC), represented predominantly from the swine industry sector, shall be responsible for the accreditation of the swine breeding farms.  The SAB and the TWC shall be composed of the following:

Swine Accreditation Board


Technical Working Committee


The SAB shall provide the policy, over-all direction and issue the accreditation certificate upon the recommendation of the TWC.  The TWC shall be responsible for the actual evaluation of breeding farms and recommend measures/amendments on the criteria and procedures of accreditation as may be necessary provided that all amendments must be approved by SAB.

IV. PROCEDURE FOR ACCREDITATION

The procedures in accreditation shall consist of:

1. Submission of duly accomplished Application Form to the SAB Secretariat with the original copy of the legal requirements as stated above.
   
   
2. Evaluation of the application by the TWC.
   
   
3. Farm visit and evaluation by the TWC.
   
   
4. Recommendation of TWC to the SAB.
   
   
5. Action (approval/disapproval) by the SAB.
   

V. FEES

Accreditation fees shall include Five Hundred Pesos (P500.00) non-refundable and Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) for the issuance of the Accreditation Certificate.

VI. FUNDING SUPPORT

To carry out the activities of swine breeding farms accreditation, the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall provide a Seed Fund of One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) to the Swine Breeding Farm Accreditation Board, Inc. (SBABI) for its initial operation.  A Memorandum of Agreement between DA and SBABI shall be executed to this effect. Subsequent funding requirements shall be drawn from the accreditation fees and other sources of revenue from the SBABI ™s operations.

VII. MONITORING

The Livestock Development Council shall promote, monitor and evaluate the Swine Breeding Farm Accreditation Program.

Adopted: 12 Dec. 2000

(SGD.) EDGARDO J. ANGARA
Secretary of Agriculture