WHEREAS, the Office Internationale des Epizooties confirms outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in France;

WHEREAS, the other countries in Europe are highly at risk of having the disease;

WHEREAS, the Philippines imports some animals, meat, meat products and by-products from these countries; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to prevent the entry, establishment, and spread of FMD in the country;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LEONARDO Q. MONTEMAYOR, Secretary of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby institute an emergency measure banning the importation of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other FMD-susceptible animals, their uncooked meat, meat products and by-products originating from the European countries into the Philippines and prescribe the following:

1. Immediate suspension of the processing, evaluation, and issuance of Veterinary Quarantine Clearance/IVC Import Permit for applications relevant to the importation of the above-stated products in the European Countries by the Bureau of Animal Industry;
   
   
2. Stoppage/confiscation of all shipments into the country of suspected/affected products originating from the European Countries by all DA Quarantine Inspectors/Officers at all major sea/air ports.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 14 March 2001

(SGD.) LEONARDO Q. MONTEMAYOR
Secretary

Recommending Approval:

(SGD.) TEODORO A. ABILAY, Ph.D.
Director IV