ARTICLE I
TITLE, OBJECTIVES AND DEFINITION OF TERMS


SECTION 1. Title - This Administrative Order shall be known as the œRules and Regulations Implementing the DA Administrative Order No. 34, series of 2005. 

SECTION 2. Objectives - The following Rules and Regulations are hereby adopt- ed, promulgated and issued to carry out the provisions of the said AO and specifically:

1. To identify, accredit and promote small ruminant breeder farms with genetically-improved quality stocks.
   
   
2. To develop the small ruminant industry by ensuring availability and widespread distribution of good quality and welfare friendly breeder stocks.

SECTION 3. Definition of Terms - Unless otherwise provided, the following terms shall mean:

1. AO shall refer to the œAdministrative Order  issued by the Department of Agriculture.
   
   
2. BAI shall refer to the œBureau of Animal Industry , an attached agency of the DA mandated to formulate programs for the development and expansion of the livestock, poultry and dairy industries to meet the requirements of a growing populace.
   
   
3. BT shall refer to œBlue Tongue , a viral disease of sheep, wild ruminants and rarely cattle, goats and carnivores biologically transmitted between  ruminants by arthro- pods.
   
   
4. CAE refer to œCarpine Arthritis Encephalitis ,  a viral disease manifested clinically as polyarthritis in adult goats and less commonly as progressive paresis (leukoen- cephalomyelitis)  in kids usually transmitted via virus-infected colostrum.
   
   
5. DA shall refer to the œDepartment of Agriculture , mandated with the planning, for- mulation, execution, regulation and monitoring of programs and activities relating to agriculture, food production and supply.
   
   
6. CDMU shall refer to the Central Data Management Unit.
   
   
7. DTI  shall refer to the œDepartment of Trade and Industry , a government agency tasked with the registration and licensing of single-proprietorship company (ies).
   
   
8. FGASPAPI shall refer to the œFederation of Goat and Sheep Producers Association of the Philippines, Incorporated ,  duly registered and recognized organization of goat and sheep raisers and producers.
   
   
9. FMD  shall refer to œFoot-and-Mouth Disease , a highly infectious viral disease of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, buffalo and artiodactyl wildlife species characterized by fever, vesicles in the mouth and on the muzzle, teats and feet and death in young animals transmitted by contact between susceptible and infected animals.
   
   
10. GIP  shall refer  to the  œGenetic Improvement Program  one of the major components of the GMA-LP, aims to improve the country ™s livestock breeder base, sustain breeding operations by increasing reproductive efficiency decrease mortality rate, increase finished weight and improve the meat  eating quality.
    
    
11. GMA - LP shall refer to the œGinintuang Masaganang Ani-Livestock Program ,  a banner program of the DA.
    
    
12. IRR shall refer to the œImplementing Rules and Regulations , a set of legal documents that pertains to the execution of certain AOs of the DA.
    
    
13. LDD  shall refer to the œLivestock Development Division  of  BAI whose mission is to develop and promote livestock and poultry production and post-production technologies that ensure high quality, affordable and safe products.
    
    
14. LDC shall refer to the œLivestock Development Council , an attached agency of the DA.
    
    
15. MOA shall refer to œMemorandum of Agreement , a legal document that binds  two (2) or more parties towards the attainment of a certain goal.
    
    
16. NS shall refer to the œNational Secretariat   of the SRFAP.
    
    
17. PCARRD shall refer to the œPhilippine Council for Agriculture Forestry National Resources Research and Development  an attached agency of the Department of Science and Technology.
    
    
18. PCRPI shall refer to the œPhilippine College of Ruminant Practitioners, Incorporated , duly registered  association composed of registered veterinarians practicing in the field of large and small ruminants.
    
    
19. RA shall refer to œRepublic Act ,  a duly approved and enacted law  by the Senate of the Philippines.
    
    
20. RTWG shall refer to the œRegional Technical Working Group  of the SRFAP.
    
    
21. SR shall refer to  œSmall Ruminants  ,  collective term for goats and sheep.
    
    
22. SRFAP shall refer to the œSmall Ruminant Farm Accreditation Program  of the DA.
    
    
23. SRFAPAB shall refer to the œSmall Ruminant Farm Accreditation Program Advisory Board .
    
    
24. SEC shall refer to the œSecurities and Exchange Commission , a government entity tasked with the registration and licensing of corporations.
    
    
25. TB shall refer to œTuberculosis , an infectious, granulomatous disease caused by acid-fast bacilli of the genus Mycobacterium commonly defined as a chronic, debilitating disease and transmissible by the inhalation of infected droplets expelled from infected lungs.

ARTICLE II
COMPOSITION OF THE SRBFAPAB, RTWG AND NS


SECTION 4. Composition of the SRBFAPAB - The SRBFAPAB shall be composed of the following:

Chairperson

-

Director, Bureau of Animal Industry

Members

-

Official Representative, Livestock Development Council

 

-

Official Representative, Federation of Goat and Sheep Producers Association of the Philippines, Incorporated (FGASPAPI)  

-

Official Representative, Small Ruminant Board  

-

Official Representative, Philippine Council for Agriculture
Resources Research and Development (PCARRD)

SECTION 5. Terms of  Reference - The following shall be the terms of reference of the SRBFAPAB:

1. The SRBFAPAB shall provide the overall policy guidelines and overall direction of the Program and approve plans and policies pertinent to its implementation.
   
2. The Advisory Board Chairperson shall issue the accreditation certificate upon recommendation of the RTWG and upon approval of the members of the Advisory Board.
   
3. The Board shall avail of the services of a Geneticist.

SECTION 6. Composition of the RTWG - The RTWG shall be composed of the following:

1. GIP Regional Coordinator or representative
   
2. Representative from the academe/state colleges and universities
   
3. Representative of the PCRPI
   
4. Representative from the Provincial Veterinary Office where the farm is located

SECTION 7. Terms of Reference - The following shall be the terms of reference of the RTWG:

1. The Regional Technical Working Group is responsible for the actual evaluation of breeder farms
   
   
2. The accomplished evaluation form shall be forwarded to the National Secretariat for final evaluation by the Advisory Board.
   
   
3. The RTWG shall submit quarterly reports to the National Secretariat
   
   
4. Any three (3) members of the RTWG can comprise the evaluation team.

SECTION 8. Composition of the NS -  The  Livestock Development Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry shall serve as the National Secretariat for the program.

SECTION 9. Terms of Reference - The following shall be the terms of  reference of the NS:

1. The NS provides application forms to the RTWG and SR Associations
   
2. Conducts preliminary evaluation of the applicant and schedules farm visit in coordination with the RTWG.
   
3. Sends notice of renewal to accredited farms and acts as repository of all data pertinent to the program
   
4. The NS shall acknowledge quarterly reports from the RTWG.
   

ARTICLE III
DETAILS OF IMPLEMENTATION
LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, MINIMUM TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

SECTION 10. Legal Requirements - A Small Ruminant Breeder Farm must have permit to operate a business issued by the Municipality/City ( a registration on Animal Welfare shall be required pursuant to DILG Memorandum 2005-01). This assumes that the business is registered with DTI if it is a single proprietorship or SEC if it is a corporation.

SECTION 11. Minimum Technical Requirements - The classification of breeder farms is hereby amended to focus on farms producing purebred and crossbred small ruminants (see Annex 1^* ).

a.   Farms Producing Purebred Animals:

1. Minimum of 25 females and 1 male per breed. If  imported, should be certified pedigreed animals (Certificate of Registration from the Breed Association from the country of origin); If purebred island born, it should have pedigree papers provided by the farm owner and certified by BAI-CDMU.
   
   
2. Farms should have an on-farm recording system in place (pedigree, production performance, breeding and health records).
   
   
3. Farms should have separate facilities for the breeder and other herd/flocks being raised;
   
   
   - Maternity and kidding pens (minimum of 2 square meters per doe)
   - Buck pens (minimum of 4-6 square meters per head)
   - Isolation/quarantine pens and livestock weighing scale
   - All pens must have elevated and slatted flooring
   
   
   
4. Farm must be certified free from Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), Blue Tongue (BT) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). BAI will conduct the laboratory test for CAE and BT at the expense of the farm owner. BAI will also issue the Certificate of Freedom from said diseases.
   
   
5. Farm should be implementing a strategic deworming program.
   
   
6. For farms engaging in dairy, animals should be tested and declared free from Tuberculosis, Brucellosis and Leptospirosis. BAI will conduct the laboratory test for Tubercolosis, Brucellosis and Leptospirosis at the farms owner ™s expense. BAI will also issue the Certificate of Freedom from said diseases.
   
   
7. Farms should have a permanent farm veterinarian or a veterinary consultant.
   
   
8. Farms should implement strict biosecurity measures, i.e., wheel/tire baths and foot baths
   
   
9. In order to implement proper feeding management, farms should have at least three (3) hectares improved pasture area for open grazing.
   
   
10. If cut & carry is feeding management of choice, the farm should have a minimum of one (1) hectare improved pasture area for a module of 25:1 animals.
    
    
11. Concentrate supplementation or grass-legume combined feeding system is highly encouraged.
    
    
12. Farms should have sound environmental management practices i.e. waste disposal system, recycling of farms waste into fertilizer and composting of manure.
    

b.   Farms Producing Crossbred Animals:

1. At least 25 females and 1 male of two (2) or more distinct breeds. If imported, should be certified pedigreed animals (Certificate of Registration from the Breed Association from the country of origin); If purebred island born, it should have pedigree papers provided by the farm owner and certified by BAI-CDMU.
   
   
2. Farms should have an on-farm recording system in place (pedigree, production performance, breeding and health records).
   
   
3. Farms should have separate facilities for the breeder and other herd/flocks being raised;
   
   
   - Maternity and kidding pens (minimum of 2 square meters per doe)
   - Buck pens (minimum of 4-6 square meters per head)
   - Isolation/quarantine pens and livestock weighing scale
   - All pens must have elevated and slatted flooring
   
   
   
4. Farm must be certified free from Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE), Blue Tongue (BT) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). BAI will conduct the laboratory test of CAE and BT at the expense of the farm owner. BAI will also issue the Certificate of Freedom from said diseases.
   
   
5. Farm should be implementing a strategic deworming program.
   
   
6. For farms engaging in dairy, animals  should be tested and declared free from Tuberculosis, Brucellosis and Leptospirosis. BAI will conduct the laboratory test for Tubercolosis, Brucellosis and Leptospirosis at the expense of the farm owner. BAI will also issue the Certificate of Freedom from said diseases.
   
   
7. Farms should have a permanent farm veterinarian or a veterinary consultant.
   
   
8. Farms should implement strict biosecurity measures, i.e. wheel/tire baths and foot baths
   
   
9. In order to implement proper feeding management, farms should have at least three (3) hectares improved pasture area for open grazing.
   
   
10. If cut & carry is feeding management of choice, the farm should have a minimum of one (1) hectare improved pasture area for a module of 25:1 animals.
    
    
11. Concentrate supplementation or grass-legume combined feeding system is highly encouraged.
    
    
12. Farms should have sound environmental management practices i.e. waste disposal system, recycling of farm waste into fertilizer and composting of manure.
    

ARTICLE IV
VALIDITY


SECTION 12. Validity - Initial accreditation is valid for three (3) years; Six (6) months prior to the expiration of the initial accreditation, the breeder farm must be evaluated again by the RTWG.

Spot inspection maybe conducted by BAI or any member of the RTWG anytime within the period.

Accreditation maybe suspended/withheld/cancelled earlier for just cause before the expiration of its term and may be renewed upon compliance with the conditions hereunder.


ARTICLE V
ACCREDITATION FEES, RENEWAL, INITIAL SEED FUND AND USE OF ACCREDITATION FUNDS


SECTION 13. Accreditation Fees for Farms Producing Purebred and Crossbred SR - The SRBFAP shall charge reasonable fees for their issuance and renewal for such certificate. The following are the fees to be collected:

1. Application Fee is PhP500, non-refundable and should be paid upon submission of the accomplished application form.
   
   
2. Initial Accreditation Fee is PhP 10,000 per farm and a Renewal Fee of PhP 5,000 per farm.
   
   
3. Accreditation fee to be paid by the applicant upon issuance of the Certificate of Accreditation by the NS.

SECTION 14. Renewal of Accreditation -  The renewal fee to start  on the third (3rd) year and every three (3) years thereafter.

SECTION 15. Initial Seed Fund - In carrying out the activities of the SRFAP, the Department of Agriculture (DA) shall provide a Seed Fund for its initial operation through the execution of a MOA between the DA and SRFAP.

SECTION 16. Use of Accreditation Funds - The proceeds from the Accreditation Program shall be deposited under the Philippine Livestock Promotion Fund (Sec.9, RA 1578)/Revolving Fund.

The use of Accreditation Funds is hereby amended and shall be used exclusively to sustain the activities of the program such as the conduct of actual evaluation of applicant ™s farms, promotion of accredited breeder farms, meetings and consultations relevant to the program, subject to the usual Government Accounting Rules and Regulations.


ARTICLE VI
IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING


SECTION 17. Implementation and Monitoring - The RTWG shall be responsible for the monitoring of the accredited SR Breeder Farms and submitting quarterly reports to BAI.


ARTICLE VII
PROCEDURE FOR ACCREDITATION (30 DAYS PROCESSING TIME)


SECTION 18. Procedures for Accreditation - The following outlines the procedures for accreditation, with a maximum of thirty (30) days processing time:

1)   Applicant submits duly accomplished Application Form and supporting documents to the National Secretariat for preliminary evaluation.

2)   If Complete, the National Secretariat endorses to the RTWG; If Not Complete, the application is returned to the applicant.

3)   RTWG evaluates the farm.

4)   RTWG recommends the findings of the evaluation to the SRFAPAB.

5)   SRFAPAB approves/disapproves the application.

6)   If approved, the National Secretariat releases the Certificate of Accreditation.


SECTION 19. Effectivity - This Rules and Regulations shall take effect after fifteen (15) days following the completion of its signing and publication in the UP Law Center or a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines, whichever comes first.

It can only be revoked by writing through the issuance of another AO or Memorandum.

Adopted: 31 Jan. 2007


(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary

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^* Text available at Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Law Complex, Diliman, Quezon City.