Implementation of the National Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program

September 18, 2006

DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 14-06

 

WHEREAS, there are number of veterinary drugs, chemicals and hormones banned by local and international regulatory bodies due to their hazardous effects to humans that may lead to drug resistance, cardiac symptoms, difficulty in breathing and sometimes death;

WHEREAS, the Philippines has to strengthen its Veterinary Drug Residues Program to ensure that the feed supplies are safe and food are compliant with Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs); IDScTE

WHEREAS, Article 5, 6 and 7, Chapter I, Title II of RA 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines) mandates the Department of Agriculture (DA) on agricultural products; the Department of Health (DOH) on drugs, cosmetics, devices and substances; and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on other products not covered by DA and DOH, to develop and enforce standards;

WHEREAS, Chapter III Article L, Sec. 65, RA 8550 (Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998) states that Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) should implement an inspection system for import and export of fishery/aquatic products and fish processing establishments consistent with international standards to ensure product quality and safety. Likewise, RA 3720 (Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act) recognizes the need to ensure the safe and rational use of veterinary drugs and products. Further, Sec 44, RA 9296 (Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines) states that the Secretary, by way of regulation, shall adopt internationally recognized standards, recommendations, set of procedures or guidelines to further ensure the quality and safety of meat and meat products;

WHEREAS, the competence and direct responsibility of the regulation, inspection and certification pertaining to food and feeds; and hygiene throughout the production chain, falls on the Department of Agriculture;

NOW THEREFORE, I, DOMINGO F. PANGANIBAN, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA), in accordance with the powers vested in me by law, do hereby issue this Administrative Order (AO) for the implementation of a National Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program in Food and the creation of the committee;

SECTION 1. Committee on Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program in Food: Composition and Function. —

1.1. The Committee on Veterinary Drug Residue in Food is hereby created and shall be composed of the following:

Chair:		Undersecretary for Livestock and Fisheries
Vice-Chair:		Director, Bureau of Agriculture Fisheries and Product Standards
Members:		Director, Bureau of Fisheries & Aquatic Resources
		Executive Director, National Meat Inspection Service
		Director, Bureau of Animal Industry
		Executive Director, Livestock Development Council
		Administrator, Natural Dairy Authority
		Executive Director, Philippine Carabao Center
		Director, DA Legal Service
		President Philippine Veterinary Medical Association
		President, Philippine Veterinary Drugs Association
		President, Philippine College of Poultry Practitioners
		President, Philippine College of Veterinary Public Health
		President, Philippine College of Swine Practitioners
		President, Philippine College of Veterinary Feed Practitioners
		President, Philippine College of Ruminant Practitioners
		President, National Federation of Hog Farmers, Inc.
		President, Philippine Association of Hog Raisers, Inc.
		President, Philippine Association of Broiler Integrators
		President, United Broiler Raisers Association
		President, Philippine Egg Board
		President, Philippine Aquaculture Association
		President, Philippine Fisheries Association

1.2. The Committee shall:

1.2.1. Review current food safely policies including the conduct of inventory of all existing pertinent regulations relative to veterinary drug residues;

1.2.2. Harmonize existing programs on veterinary drug residues being implemented by various DA agencies to be known as the immediate term Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program:

1.2.3. Formulate a comprehensive and sustainable long-term National Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program involving other government agencies, livestock, poultry, fishery and feed milling industry groups/associations.

1.3 The overall coordinator shall be designated by the Secretary to ensure the implementation of the program and activities of the committee.

SECTION 2. Roles of DA agencies. —

Various DA agencies shall collaborate under the immediate term Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program in Foods with their respective roles.

2.1. The BAI shall:

a. Collect feed sample in feed mills, feed outlets and livestock and poultry farms for laboratory testing;

b. Collect egg samples from poultry farms for laboratory testing;

c. Analyze the samples for the presence of any banned and or regulated drug;

d. To initiate investigative section and recommend for appropriate sanctions provided under the existing joint Memorandum of Agreement between DA and DOH;

e. Submit its findings to the Committee on Veterinary Drug Residues, for consideration in the formulation of the National Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program in Foods.

2.2. The NMIS shall:

a. Collect meat samples, urine and other edible tissues in abattoirs, poultry dressing plants, cold storages, meat shops and retail outlets;

b. Analyze the samples for the presence of any banned and/or regulated drugs;

c. Ensure compliance to MRLs of veterinary drugs;

d. Initiate corrective action and impose penalties as provided for under RA 7394 and RA 9296.

e. Submit its findings to the Committee on Veterinary Drug Residues, for consideration in the formulation of the long term Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program

2.3. The BFAR shall:

a. Collect aquatic animal samples in aqua-culture facilities, fish ports, fish processing plants and markets;

b. Analyze the samples for the presence of any banned and/or regulated drugs;

c. As deputized Aquatic Animal Feed, Veterinary Drug and Product Control Officers, collect, analyze and monitor aqua-feed samples;

d. Ensure compliance to MRLs of veterinary drugs;

e. Initiate corrective action and impose penalties as provided for under RA 8550 and other relevant orders; and.

f. Submit its findings to the Committee on Veterinary Drug Residues for consideration in the formulation of the long term Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program.

2.4. The NDA/PCC shall

a. Collect milk samples from dairy farms, milk collecting centers, milk processing plants and retail outlets;

b. Analyze the samples for the presence of any banned and/or regulated drugs,

c. Ensure compliance to MRLs of Veterinary Drugs;

d. Initiate corrective action as may be appropriate.

e. Submit its findings to the Committee on Veterinary Drugs Residues for consideration in the formulation of the long term Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program;

2.5. The BAFPS shall:

a. Initiate the formulation of Philippines standards on veterinary drug residues consistent with the international standards;

b. Formulate codes of practice and recommended guidelines on good veterinary practices and best aquaculture practices;

c. Consolidate and analyze product detention data on non-compliance of MRLs for drug residues:

d. Provide the industry and consumers with updated standards and information relative to veterinary drug residues;

e. Submit its findings to the Committee on Veterinary Drug Residues for consideration in the formulation of the long term Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program.

SECTION 3. Roles of the industry and private sector. —

The industry and the private sector shall lend support to the government initiative on veterinary drug residue.

3.1. The industry shall:

3.1.1. Ensure the proper use of veterinary drugs complying with regulations on prohibited drugs and withdrawal periods of drugs with MRLs;

3.1.2. Allow inspectors to enter and inspect any premises and/or conveyances during reasonable hours in which feeds and veterinary drugs are used, sold, produced, processed, or held in stock for sale and distribution, as part of the Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program.

3.1.3. Allow inspectors to open, in the presence of the owner or its representative, any package containing or suppose to contain any feed or veterinary drug and take therefrom samples for analyses.

3.1.4. Permit the inspection of records or documents as necessary;

3.1.5. Extend assistance as may be needed to enable the conduct of inspection and testing.

3.2. The PVMA shall:

3.2.1. Actively participate in an advocacy program relative to the proper use of veterinary drugs;

3.2.2. Provide technical expertise regarding veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics to include toxicological properties of veterinary drugs.

3.3. The PVDA shall:

3.3.1. Actively participate in an advocacy program relative to the proper use of veterinary drugs;

3.3.2. Cooperate towards a free exchange of information among those involved in the business of veterinary drugs and government regulatory agencies. TcCSIa

SECTION 4. The National Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program In Foods. —

The Committee shall also formulate the National Veterinary Drug Residues Control Program in Foods in coordination with other government agencies to cover all livestock, poultry and aquatic products. It shall encourage the participation of the various sectors and present the program to public consultation prior to its issuance by the Secretary.

SECTION 5. Finding. —

All expenses incurred relative to the activities of the Committee on Veterinary Drug Residues shall be charged against the Ginintuang Masaganang Ani Livestock and Fisheries Funds with the Office of the Secretary, consonant to the prevailing accounting and auditing regulations.

SECTION 6. Penalties. —

Disciplinary actions and penalties imposed on violators shall be consistent with the relevant provisions of the Consumer Act of the Philippines (RA 7394), the Philippine Fisheries Code (RA 8550), the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines (RA 9296), Food, Drug and Devices and Cosmetics Act (RA 3720), Livestock and Poultry Feeds Act (RA 1556) and all other relevant laws.

 

This Order shall take effect after its publication in one newspaper of general circulation.

(SGD.) DOMINGO F. PANGANIBANSecretary

Published in The Manila Times on November 13, 2006.