Whereas, the OIE recognition of Mindanao (2001), Visayas, Masbate, and Palawan (2002) as an FMD Free Zone without vaccination, Region II and V had been declared locally as FMD Free Zones in February 2004;

Whereas, the Protected Areas in Luzon (Regions I and CAR) need to maintain their free status in preparation for their local declaration as an FMD Free Zone;

Whereas, the incidence of FMD in the Protected Areas of Ilocos Region (Region I) and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) can be caused by incursions of infected animals from the endemic areas;

Whereas, it is imperative that movement of FMD susceptible animals, meat, meat products and its by-products from the endemic areas of Regions III, IV, and NCR entering Region I and CAR be regulated to prevent further spread of the virus in these regions.

Now, therefore, I, DOMINGO F. PANGANIBAN, Secretary of Agriculture pursuant to the existing laws, rules and regulations, do hereby issue this Order;

SECTION 1. Shipment Regulations for Draft Animals - FMD susceptible draft animals may be shipped to Region I and CAR from endemic Luzon Regions III, IV and NCR) provided that the animals have accompanying Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC) indicating that the animals have been vaccinated at least twice against FMD; an Authority to Ship from BAI and a shipping permit issued by government authorities (Regional Veterinary Quarantine Officer or Provincial Veterinarian).

SECTION 2. Shipment Regulations for Breeders and Growers (30 Kilos and below)  FMD susceptible breeder/fattener animals may be shipped to Region I and CAR from endemic Luzon. Same provision as those for draft animals shall apply and the breeder/fatteners must come only from BAI-FMD free accredited farms.

For animals coming from Mindanao, Visayas, Palawan and Masbate, shipment must be accompanied by Veterinary Health Certificate and Transshipment Certificate issued at the port of exit going to Regions CAR or I.

SECTION 3. Shipment Regulations for Slaughter Animals - Pigs for slaughter are allowed for shipment to Region I and CAR from the endemic areas of Regions III, IV and NCR provided that the animals came from BAI FMD-free accredited farms, have accompanying Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC) indicating that the animals have been vaccinated at least twice against FMD; and "Authority to Ship" from BAI Director and a Shipping Permit from the Provincial Veterinarian. The said regulation shall be implemented for a year to provide sufficient length of time for the local industry to develop their local livestock production to meet the local market demand.

Shipment of animals from Regions II and V are allowed as long as they have pertinent documents to provide that they were directly shipped from the said points of origin with accompanying VHC and Shipping Permit.

SECTION 4. Shipment Regulations for Locally Sourced Meat  - Locally sourced meat products: processed or cooked; semi-processed; uncooked meat and carcasses may be shipped from endemic areas to CAR and Region I, provided that they came from accredited meat processors and accredited slaughterhouse for uncooked meat and carcass.

All shipments of meat and meat product must be accompanied by a valid Meat Inspection Certificate (from the point of origin) and Shipping Permit.

SECTION 5. Shipment Requirements - All livestock shipment must have accompanying Original Copies of the following: Livestock Handler's License, Veterinary Health Certificate, BAI FMD-Free Farm Accreditation Certificate, Authority to Ship, and Shipping Permit.

5.1 Livestock Handlers License (LHL)

The Livestock Handler's issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Director and his duly assigned representative shall be presented before a live

stock trader could apply for the required permits. If unlicensed, he shall be required to apply for the license at the BAI or at the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Unit (DARFU).

5.2 Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC)

Any licensed veterinarian may issue the veterinary health certificate. The VHC is a document, (issued at the farm) that certifies the health status of an animal and its source. The original VHC shall accompany the animal in every stage of its transport from the farm to its final destination and must be presented upon demand to proper authorities at anytime.

The certificate must clearly contain the following information:

 

- Name of the certifying veterinarian and his updated PRC License Number
  - Date and time of inspection
  - Name of the farm and its owner
  - Official seal of the farm (if there is any)
  - Address of the farm
  - Number of animals inspected
  - Destination of animals
  - Remarks as to the general health condition of animals/vaccination history
  - Purpose of transfer or movement (e.g. for slaughter; for fattening or breed- ing)

The VHC is a requirement prior to obtaining the Shipping Permit.

5.3 Issuance of Shipping Permit (SP)

5.3.1 Only Veterinary Quarantine Officers deputized by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture as well as the Special Veterinary Quarantine Officers deputized by the BAI Director are authorized to issue the shipping permit.

5.3.2 In case of slaughter animals with ready buyers (accompanied by proof of sale such as sales contract, deed of sale, or invoice and the like), the ready buyers shall sign an agreement complying to the regulations on movement of animals before such movement of or shipping out slaughter animals shall be authorized.

5.3.3 PNP Clearance to Ship/Transport Large Animals (Cattle and Carabao). The required PNP clearance to ship/transport large animals shall also be secured.

SECTION 6. Disposition of Illegal Shipment

a. Animals. Those found infected with FMD shall be immediately condemned and disposed of by burning and/or burying in a deep pit. Exposed animals from the same shipment shall be immediately slaughtered at the nearest slaughterhouse.

Shipment of susceptible animals without signs of FMD and without shipment papers shall not be unloaded from the transport carrier but must be returned to their origin except for those that came from FMD free zones, which require immediate slaughtering at the nearest slaughterhouse.

b. Meat and Meat Products - Unauthorized shipment of meat and meat products shall be seized and disposed of immediately at the point of entry as provided by NMIS rules and regulations.

Any cost or service incurred in the disposition of illegal shipment shall be paid/shouldered by the shipper/trader/person or corporation liable for such violation.

The seizure or confiscation of animals, meat, meat-products must be properly documented, witnessed and covered by appropriate custody or acknowledgement receipt prior to condemnation or release.

SECTION 7. Penalty - Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Administrative Order shall be subject to penalties based on existing rules/regulations (AO 5, AO 20, AO 8), ordinances of the local government concerned and such other applicable laws.

SECTION 8. Effectivity - This order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication of the same in the Official Gazette and its filing with the UP Law Center.

Adopted: 25 Nov. 2005

(SGD.) HON. DOMINGO F. PANGANIBAN
Secretary

Recommending Approval:

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

(SGD.) VICTOR C. ATIENZA, DVM, FRVC, CESO IV
Head, National FMD Task Force