Please find attached letter, dated 04 December 2002, of Executive Director EFREN C. NUESTRO, National Meat Inspection Commission, informing on the proper disposal of meat contaminated with dioxin or BSE. 

Take note of his recommendation to have such importations re-exported to the country of origin, pursuant to Republic Act 7394, unless there are violations of TCCP which shall warrant their seizure by the Bureau of Customs.

Be guided accordingly.

Adopted: 10 January 2003

(SGD.) ANTONIO M. BERNARDO
Commissioner

Attachment: 

December 4, 2002 

Hon. ANTONIO M. BERNARDO
Commissioner
Bureau of Customs
Manila 

Sir: 

This has reference to your letter of 12 November 2002 seeking advice on the appropriate disposal of meat contaminated with dioxin or BSE. 

Dioxin contaminated meat can be disposed by incineration at 850 C to 1,000 C or higher temperature. Meat with BSE can also be effectively destroyed through incineration at 1, 160 C or by rendering at 133 C 3 bar for 20 minutes. However, since these methods are very costly, we recommend that imported meat with these contaminants should be re-exported to the country of origin. This is an option pursuant to R.A. 7394 or The Consumer Act of the Philippines. 

We appreciate your seeking advice and hope to have shed light in this regard. 

Very truly yours, 

(SGD.) EFREN C. NUESTRO
Executive Director