WHEREAS, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, has caused significant losses in the livestock industry and is considered to be a major trade barrier for animal and animal products;

WHEREAS, Mindanao and the islands of Visayas, Palawan, and Masbate have been recognized by the Office of International des Epizooties (OIE), otherwise known as the World Organization for Animal Health, as FMD Free Zones where vaccination is not practiced in 2001 and 2002, respectively;

WHEREAS, following the implementation of progressive zoning approach in Luzon, the provinces of Regions II, IV-B and V were nationally declared as FMD Free Zones without vaccination in 2004; the provinces of Region I, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Aurora in Region III were subsequently nationally declared as FMD Free Zones with vaccination in 2005, followed by the upgrading of CAR, Aurora, and Ilocos Norte of Region 1 as FMD Free Zones without vaccination in 2006;

WHEREAS, Regions III (except Aurora), IV-A and the National Capital Region (NCR) in Luzon were nationally declared as FMD Protected Zones in 2006;

WHEREAS, the Regional and Local Government counterparts in the aforementioned areas have shown their commitment to eradicate FMD and comply with the policies set by the National FMD Task Force of the Bureau of Animal Industry;

WHEREAS, there has been no evidence of FMD infection in Luzon for the past 24 months, as evident in the serological examination conducted by the National FMD Diagnostic Laboratory;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by existing laws, do hereby declare the areas of Region III (except Aurora), Region IV-A and NCR as FMD Free Zones where vaccination is practiced.

This Order further upholds A.O. 15 Series of 2004, A.O. 36 series of 2005, and A.O. 18 Series of 2006 as previously declared and maintains the existing national policies pertaining to vaccination and movement of FMD susceptible animals in preparation for the vaccination exit strategy.

This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after filing three (3) copies thereof with the UP Law Center.

Adopted: 5 Feb. 2008

(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary

Recommending Approval:

(SGD.) DAVINIO P. CATBAGAN, DVM
Officer-in-Charge
Bureau of Animal Industry