Pursuant to R.A. 8178, otherwise known as "Agricultural Tariffication Act", an "Act replacing quantitative import restrictions on agricultural products. . . ", among others; and in accordance with the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) provision of the GATT-WTO as requirement in the global trading of agricultural products, the following rules and regulations are hereby prescribed for the guidance and compliance of all concerned:

I. All existing Import and Quarantine Rules and Regulations of the different Bureaus and attached Agencies of the Department are deem valid and must remain to be enforced.

II. Import Permit/Authority/Clearance issued by the Department, its Bureaus and attached Agencies, are still required and must be secured prior to importation of agricultural products.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 15 July 1996

(SGD.) SALVADOR H. ESCUDERO III
Secretary