Guidelines and Procedures in the Effective Implementation of a Comprehensive Swine Farm Inspection System

January 11, 2007

DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 02-07

GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES IN THE EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF A COMPREHENSIVE SWINE FARM INSPECTION SYSTEM (FIS)

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to monitor animal diseases that has affected the competitiveness of the animal industry sector.

WHEREAS, there is a need to harmonize all procedures and safety nets to enhance the competitiveness of hog meat and meat products thereby giving access to a more profitable export market, thus appropriate quarantine animal disease control procedures should be in place to minimize and eradicate diseases affecting the animal industry sector.

NOW THEREFORE, I, ARTHUR C. YAP, Secretary of Agriculture, pursuant to Section 3, Chapter 1, Title IV, Book IV of the Executive Order No. 292, hereby promulgate and enforce all laws, rules and regulations governing the planning, formulation, regulation and monitoring of programs and activities relating to agriculture, food production and supply and the conservation and proper utilization of agricultural and fishery resources and to the provisions of Section 15 of R.A. 8435 otherwise known as Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 (AFMA) as amended by R.A. 9281, the following guidelines/procedures are hereby promulgated.

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms.— for purposes of this Order, the following terms shall mean:

a. Swine Farm — a premise or establishment where pigs or hogs are reared or kept for breeding and/or fattening purposes.

b. Animal Disease — a pathological condition of a part, organ or system of an animal resulting from various causes, such as infection, genetic defect, or environmental stress and characterized by an identifiable group of signs or symptoms.

c. Animal Industry Sector — segment of agriculture involved in animal production and health protection enterprises.

d. Disease Prevention — exclusion of causative agents of disease in an animal population.

e. Disease Control and Eradication — limiting the spread of causative agents of disease in an animal population and eventual elimination of the agent.

f. Hog Export Board — inter-agency, multi-sectoral group tasked to review existing policies and procedures to facilitate hog export.

g. Farm Inspection System — set of procedures followed that shall be used to validate the condition of the participating hog farms prior to the issuance of certification/accreditation for export.

h. Provincial Veterinarian — a licensed government veterinarian employed pursuant to RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 who is in-charge in the enforcement of regulations in disease control and food production including animal or animal-based food inspection in the province under the Office of the Governor

i. City Veterinarian — a licensed government veterinarian employed pursuant to RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 who is in-charge in the enforcement of regulations in disease control and food production including animal or animal-based food inspection in the city under the Office of the City Mayor.

j. Municipal Veterinarian — a licensed government veterinarian employed pursuant to RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991 who is in-charge in the enforcement of regulations in disease control and food inspection in the municipality under the Office of the Mayor.

SECTION 2.  Creation.— There shall be created and established a Farm Inspection System under the Hog Export Board to ensure standard procedures for the identification and accreditation of participating swine farms to ensure that the animal health and veterinary public health criteria for accreditation of the farm/establishment had been complied with and are monitored.

SECTION 3.  Powers and Function of the Hog Export Board.—

1. To conduct regular consultation with the swine industry on matters that need policy formulation.

2. To recommend hog export policies as a result of the consultation to the Secretary of Agriculture.

3. To assist in the mobilization of the FIS team in the conduct of validation and accreditation.

4. To undertake related activities as directed by the Secretary of Agriculture.

SECTION 4.  Composition of Farm Inspection System.— The Farm Inspection System (FIS) shall consist of the following:

1. Bureau of Animal Industry

2. Regional Quarantine Cluster Coordinator

3. Regional Field Coordinators from Region X, XI, and XII

4. Provincial, City and Municipal Veterinarian

5. Veterinary Consultants and Farm Veterinarians

SECTION 5.  Powers and Function of the Regional Quarantine Cluster Coordinator.— shall recommend to the BAI the accreditation of participating hog farms.

SECTION 6.  Powers and Function of the Regional Field Coordinator.— shall oversee the process of identification, documentation, inspection, evaluation, and accreditation of integrated and small scale hog farms. They shall institute quarantine and surveillance programs. They shall issue the general guideline for the issuance of the shipping/transport permit for the accredited farms within their jurisdiction. They shall recommend the deputation of local government and private veterinarians who are in good standing members of the Philippine Veterinary Medical Association and who are directly involved in the program to issue shipping permits from accredited farms to designated abattoir and meat plants. DHITSc

SECTION 7.  Powers and Function of the Provincial, City and Municipal Veterinarian. — shall conduct the regular inspection of the farm consistent with its duties as mandated by R.A. No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.They shall provide the support staff for implementing the accreditation, clustering, monitoring, and reporting system and the collection of laboratory and diagnostic samples for the concerned farms in their area of jurisdiction. They shall be responsible for disease monitoring, surveillance and reporting including the validation of information arising from disease surveillance.

SECTION 8.  Powers and Function of Veterinary Consultants and Farm Veterinarian.— shall ensure the implementation and maintenance of biosecurity measures and an effective and efficient animal health/welfare and environmental friendly program of the farm.

SECTION 9.  Accreditation and Submission of the Monthly Reports.—

1. All participating farms shall be evaluated by an FIS team prior to accreditation.

2. The accredited participating farms shall allow the FIS team to conduct regular inspection. They shall provide the information material in a timely manner as required.

3. The FIS shall submit a regular monthly report as basis for continuation of accreditation.

4. The accreditation is valid for six (6) months unless earlier cancelled for just cause.

SECTION 10.  Procedures on Farm Inspection.— the Implementing Rules and Regulations shall be drafted for the promulgation of this procedure. Additional rules and regulations shall be issued as required by the importing country.

SECTION 11.  Effectivity.— This Administrative Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in two (2) papers of general circulation at least once a week for a period of not less than one (1) month and its filing with the UP Law Center.

Date Filed: 29 January 2007

Adopted: 11 Jan. 2007

 

(SGD.) ARTHUR C. YAPSecretary

Recommended by:

(SGD.) DAVINIO P. CATBAGAN, DVMOfficer-in-Charge