Guidelines on Transport/Shipment of Hogs, Cattle, Carabaos, Sheep and Goats, Their Meat and Meat Products

March 29, 2012

DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 13-12

WHEREAS, Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has already been eradicated in the entire Philippines;

WHEREAS, there is a need to maintain the status of the Philippines as FMD Free country where vaccination is not practiced;

WHEREAS, despite the eradication of FMD, there is a need for government and private sector collaboration and cooperation to prevent, contain and control other diseases that are still present and require additional control measures on the movement of animals, animal products and by-products to safeguard animal health, public health and the livestock industry;

WHEREAS, at least 61% of 1,415 species of infectious organisms known to be pathogenic to humans are zoonotic or transmissible from animals to humans, and 75% of the 175 species that are considered as emerging pathogens are considered zoonotic (Taylor, et al., 2001),thus it is important to safeguard the health of animals, the safety and hygiene of their meat and meat products, and other animal products and by-products so as to minimize the risk of spread of diseases not only in animals but in the consuming public as well;

WHEREAS, strict observance of disease prevention and control measures will increase the volume, improve the safety, quality and value of livestock commodities, immensely contribute to overall food security, and enhance global competitiveness and sustainability, in accordance with Republic Act No. 7394, otherwise known as the Consumer Act of the Philippines, in relation to Republic Act No. 8435, otherwise known as the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997 (AFMA). aEHIDT

NOW THEREFORE, I, PROCESO J. ALCALA, Secretary of Agriculture, pursuant to AFMA, Section 6, Chapter 1, and Section 18, Chapter 4 of Title IV, Book IV of Executive Order 292 (Administrative Code of 1987), Section 5 of Act No. 3639 (BAI Quarantine Powers), and Articles 6 and 7 of Consumer Act of the Philippines, do hereby prescribe the following guidelines:

SECTION 1. Definition of Terms. —

a. Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) — viral (Picornavirus) disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals (e.g.,pig, cattle, carabao, goat, sheep, etc.) which usually manifests with blisters on the foot and/or mouth.

b. Animal Products — refers to meat covering all edible parts of an animal; may be fresh meat, meat products (semi-processed and fully-processed).

c. Animal By-Products — refers to hides, horns, skin, bones, hooves and other parts or products of pig, cattle, carabao, goat and sheep that are unsuitable for human consumption.

d. Meat — refers to the fresh, chilled or frozen edible carcass including offal derived from food animals.

e. Meat Product — any product capable of use as human food which is made wholly or in part from any meat or other portion of the carcass of any food animals, excepting products which contain meat or other portions of such carcasses only in an relatively small proportion or historically have not been considered by consumers as products of the meat industry, and which are exempted from definition as a meat product by the Secretary under such conditions as he may prescribe to assure that the meat or other portions of such carcasses contained in such product are not adulterated and that such products are not represented as meat products.

f. Zoonotic — means any disease or infection which is transmissible from animals to humans. CaAIES

g. Livestock — refers to documented or otherwise, domesticated, captive-bred animals intended for breeding or fattening purposes. Livestock includes among others; horses, cattle, carabao, deer, sheep, goat, swine and crocodile acquired locally or through importation under the existing rules and regulations.

h. Farm — refers to any structure, building, land or premises housing or intended to house animals in which temperature cannot be controlled within set limits.

i. Establishment — premises where animals are held.

j. Livestock Handler — person engaged in the trade of livestock, usually in its transport from one farm to another or to an establishment; may also be engaged in trade of animal, meat, meat-products and by-products.

k. Transport Carrier — refers to vehicle used for the transport of livestock.

l. BAI — Bureau of Animal Industry.

m. DA-RFU — Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Unit.

n. Veterinary Health Certificate — document issued by a duly licensed veterinarian certifying the health status of an animal and its source.

o. Licensed Veterinarian — veterinarian in the Philippines duly recognized by the Professional Regulation Commission.

p. Shipping Permit — official document of the BAI issued "With Authority of the Director" by Veterinary Quarantine Officers, government and private veterinarians deputized by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture allowing movement of animals from one place to another. cIaCTS

q. Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) — Viral (Arterivirus) disease in pigs (i.e.,dry sows, lactating sows, sucking piglets and growers) whose manifestations include reproductive failure in breeding stock and respiratory tract illness in young pigs.

r. Pseudorabies — viral (Herpesvirus) disease usually affecting pigs which is also known as Aujezsky's Disease whose manifestations include nervous signs (e.g.,trembling and paddling).

s. Brucellosis — bacterial (Brucella sp.) zoonotic disease which is usually characterized by reproductive system failure (e.g.,abortion, miscarriage).

t. Leptospirosis — bacterial (Leptospira sp.) zoonotic disease which is usually asymptomatic.

u. Classical Swine Fever (CSF) — viral (Pestivirus) disease in pigs which causes fever, skin lesions, convulsions and usually (particularly in young animals) death within 15 days; also known as Hog Cholera.

v. Swine Influenza — viral (Orthomyxovirus) disease in pigs with respiratory symptoms which are usually acute and highly contagious.

w. Serologically Negative — serum sample with negative result from ELISA test.

x. ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) — laboratory test used to detect antibody or antigen in serum samples.

y. Hemorrhagic Septicemia — bacterial (Pasteurella multocida) disease of cattle and carabao usually manifested by edematous swelling in the throat region (i.e.,neck and brisket) and difficulty in swallowing. HCTAEc

z. Tuberculosis — bacterial (Mycobacterium sp.) disease of humans and animals which is highly contagious though signs are only observed in later stages of infection.

aa. Surra — protozal (Trypanosoma sp.) disease of animals characterized by fever, weakness and lethargy, depending on specie and age of animal infected.

bb. Anthrax — bacterial (Bacillus anthracis) zoonotic disease most common in herbivore animals (cattle, carabao, sheep, goat, etc.) and infects humans by exposure to bacterial spores.

cc. Blackleg — bacterial (Clostridium chauvoei [feseri]) disease of cattle and sheep which is acute and febrile, characterized by edematous swelling in heavy muscles.

dd. Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) — viral (Lentivirus) disease of goats which manifests as polyarthritis in adults and, less commonly, paresis in kids.

ee. Certificate of Meat Inspection (COMI)/Meat and Meat Product Inspection Certificate (MMPIC) — official document issued by the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) certifying the wholesomeness of the meat and products whether imported or locally produced.

ff. Import Permit — official document of the BAI issued by the Office of the Director allowing entry of animal, meat, meat-product and by-product from other countries in to the Philippines.

gg. Destroy — humane killing of animal(s) in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act of the Philippines (RA 8485).

hh. Disposal — proper burning, burying or burning-then-burying of destroyed or dead animal or confiscated meat, meat-product and/or by-product such in accordance with environmental laws and guidelines. cHDaEI

SECTION 2. Mandatory requirements for the transport or shipment of hogs, cattle, carabaos, sheep and goats, and other cloven-footed animals, their meat and meat products, semen, embryo, or genetic material, animal products and by-products:

a. Only livestock farms or establishments, livestock handlers, and transport carriers duly registered with the BAI or with the DA-RFUs or NMIS shall be allowed to transport animals, meat and non-meat animal products & by-products, semen and genetic material coming from the abovementioned animals.

 In case of meat and meat products, additional requirements are: 1.) Certificate of Meat Inspection (COMI)/Meat and Meat Products Inspection Certificate (MMPIC);2.) Meat Handler's License from the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) shall be required before a Shipping Permit can be issued by the BAI Director or his duly authorized representative.

 For the shipment of meat and meat products which are intended for home consumption whose volume does not exceed ten (10) kilograms, the shipper may present an Official Receipt for the purchase of the said product as an alternative to the COMI or MMPIC in securing the Shipping Permit. Only those that are purchased from supermarkets and meat shops are allowed.

b. All shipments of the abovementioned animals within and between Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao must be accompanied by Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a duly licensed veterinarian (e.g.,farm vets or in their absence LGU vets) and Shipping Permit issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) or Department of Agriculture (DA)-BAI deputized Veterinary Quarantine Officers (VQOs) of DA Regional Field Units or deputized Provincial Veterinarians of Local Government Units (LGUs).

c. For inter-island shipment of breeder swine and swine semen and genetic material, negative test result for but not limited to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS),Pseudorabies (PRV),Brucellosis, and Leptospirosis; and vaccination against Classical Swine Fever (CSF) and Swine Influenza (SIV) is required. EcTDCI 

d. For shipment of swine intended for slaughter, only Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a duly licensed veterinarian and Shipping Permit issued by the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) or Department of Agriculture (DA)-BAI deputized Veterinary Quarantine Officers (VQOs) of DA Regional Field Units or deputized Provincial Veterinarians of Local Government Units (LGUs) will be required.

e. For shipment of large ruminants intended for slaughter, additional certification that the animals have been vaccinated against Hemorrhagic Septicemia at least two weeks before shipment is required;

 For inter-island shipment of breeder large ruminants and their semen and/or embryos, additional certification that the animals have been vaccinated against Hemorrhagic Septicemia and negative test result for but not limited to Tuberculosis (TB),Surra and Brucellosis is required. If the animals come from Anthrax and Blackleg zones (identified areas in CAR, Regions 1 and 2),additional Certification of Vaccination for these diseases is required.

f. For shipment of breeder small ruminants and their semen, additional negative test results for Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) and Brucellosis are required.

g. For movements within Visayas and Mindanao — Testing can be on a case to case basis, i.e.,test requirements may be waived based on a written request from the procuring party, or may be added upon if so requested by the procuring party as long as the duly licensed Farm Veterinarian could certify that there are no outbreaks of such diseases in the farm in the past 6 months.

h. All required laboratory tests shall be borne by the shipper.

i. All transport of live animals shall be in accordance with existing animal welfare laws and regulations.

SECTION 3. Support to the Laboratory Diagnosis Component. — The Department of Agriculture shall provide funds to the Philippine Animal Health Center to conduct the necessary tests and to accredit and capacitate DA Regional Animal Disease and Diagnostic Laboratories (RADDL),private integrator farm diagnostic laboratories (when possible),private laboratories (diagnostic or quality control),university/college animal disease diagnostic laboratories. HDIaST

SECTION 4. Prohibition on Shipment/Transport. — No shipment of animals, their products and by-products shall be allowed entry and transport between and within Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, unless they comply with the foregoing requirements.

SECTION 5. Penalty for Violation. — Any shipment found to be in violation of the foregoing requirements shall be seized, confiscated and destroyed in accordance with any and all applicable laws, rules and regulations unless, the owner/shipper is able to return the shipment to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, as the case may be, where it originally came from, subject to close monitoring by National Veterinary Quarantine Service (NVQS) deputized officers and inspectors, and without danger to spread of diseases or sacrificing product quality and hygiene.

SECTION 6. Repealing Clause. — All rules and regulations and other issuances which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Order are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

This Order shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from date of publication in a newspaper of general circulation and filing of three (3) certified copies thereof with the National Administrative Register at the UP Law Center. ESCTaA

Approved this 19th day of April 2012 in Quezon City, Philippines.

(SGD.) PROCESO J. ALCALASecretaryDepartment of Agriculture

RECOMMENDING APPROVAL:

(SGD.) EFREN C. NUESTRO, DVM, CESO IIIDirector IV, Bureau of Animal Industry

 

Published in The Philippine Daily Inquirer on May 5, 2012.