WHEREAS, Section 5, Chapter II of RA 9296 or œThe Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines  states that the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) of the Department of Agriculture is the sole national controlling authority on all matters pertaining to meat and meat product inspection and meat hygiene;

WHEREAS, Section 4 (2) Chapter I of Republic Act 9296, the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) of the Department of Agriculture is mandated to accredit meat importers, brokers, exporters, traders or meat handlers.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me do hereby issue this Order, directing the National Meat Inspection Service or NMIS to issue appropriate guidelines and procedures for the accreditation of meat importers, exporters, brokers, traders or meat handlers for their immediate implementation.

Administrative Order No. 1, Series of 2003, dated June 30, 2003, issued by the

Bureau of Animal Industry is hereby revoked or repealed accordingly.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 03 Jan.  2007