WHEREAS, based on Article 2.5.5.6 and Article 2.5.5.7 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code 2007 of the OIE, horses can be imported from an Equine Influenza free country, zone or compartment;

WHEREAS, Bahrain, Germany, Korea, Luxembourg and Jordan had resumed their importation of horses from Australia;

WHEREAS, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States of America had resumed importation of horses from Australia without any reference to Equine Inluenza certification;

WHEREAS, Equine Influenza is present in our country and horses in competition are required to be vaccinated every year;

WHEREAS, the PHILRACOM had endorsed the lifting of the ban on the importation of horses from Australia;

WHEREAS, strict protocols will be required on the importation of horses from Australia;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby lift the temporary ban on the importation of horses originating from Australia.

All import transactions on the importation of horses shall be in accordance with the existing rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Animal Industry (DA-BAI).

All orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this order, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

This ORDER shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 22 Nov. 2007