WHEREAS, Japanese government thru the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries issued an advisory effective last February 12, 2002 banning the use of fishmeal in the production of compound feed for cattle due to its content of meat and bone meal;

WHEREAS, the Philippines has issued Memorandum Order No. 16, Series 2001 dated September 11, 2001, banning the importation of meat and bone meal from Japan as a precautionary measure to prevent the entry of bovine spongiform encepalopathy (BSE);

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LEONARDO Q. MONTEMAYOR, Secretary of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby institute the following emergency measures;

1. Banning the importation of fishmeal originating from Japan;

2. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipment of fishmeal into the country of suspected/affected products from Japan by all DA Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major sea/air ports.

This ORDER shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 20 February 2002