WHEREAS, there were reported cases of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) or Mad Cow Disease in Canada;

WHEREAS, there is increasing scientific evidence that the new variant of Creutzfeldt - Jakob Disease (nvCJD or vCJD) in human could probably be transmitted by eating BSE-affected animals;

WHEREAS, the Philippines imports meat and meat products from Canada; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to prevent the entry of BSE in the country

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LUIS P. LORENZO, JR., Secretary of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby institute precautionary measures to prevent entry of BSE contaminated meat from Canada, and prescribe the following:

1. Only deboned and deglanded beef from cattle not older than thirty (30) months, devoid of any nerves and other BSE specified risk materials (SRM) shall be imported;

2. The beef should come only from healthy ambulatory and not downer cattle;

3. The age of the slaughter cattle shall be certified by the Canadian Department of Agriculture or a third party certification company to be accredited by the Philippine Department of Agriculture to be not older than thirty (30) months;

4. The production or slaughter date of the beef shall be included in the packaging label;

5. All shipments into the country of beef originating from Canada not complying with these conditions shall be confiscated by all DA Quarantine Inspectors/Officers at all major sea/air ports.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 3 Feb. 2004


(SGD.) LUIS P. LORENZO, JR.
Secretary