QuestionsQuestions (DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 18, S. 2000)
It is titled “DA Administrative Order No. 18, s. 2000,” dated April 24, 2000, issued by the Secretary of Agriculture (Edgardo J. Angara).
It amends DA A.O. No. 4, series of 1998, titled “Revised Guidelines in the Importation of Agricultural Products.”
It is issued pursuant to Section 18, Chapter 4, Title IV, Book IV of Executive Order No. 292, and the provisions of Republic Act No. 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines).
It states the scope shall not be limited to agricultural products but must include live animals, plants, fishes, and their products and by-products.
An Import Permit, referred to as an SPS Certificate, must be required prior to importation of agricultural products, live animals, plants, and fishes (and their products/by-products).
The importation must be accompanied by a Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Health Certificate from the country of origin.
Agricultural products, live animals, plants, and fishes imported without the required Import Permit are deemed illegal and are subject to the pertinent provisions of RA 7394 and existing DA quarantine rules and regulations.
Agricultural products; live animals; plants; fishes; and their products and by-products (as covered by the Order’s stated scope).
It means the importation is treated as unlawful by virtue of the absence of the required Import Permit (SPS Certificate), triggering enforcement under RA 7394 and existing DA quarantine rules, without needing additional proof of illegality beyond the lack of the permit.
The Order specifically subjects illegal imports to the pertinent provisions of RA 7394 (Consumer Act of the Philippines), which generally relate to consumer protection and regulation of food/agricultural/health-related products and unsafe or prohibited items.
Yes. The Order states: “This Order shall take effect immediately.”
All existing orders and issuances inconsistent with the Order are revoked, repealed, and/or amended accordingly.
It states there is a need to strengthen agriculture quarantine services and harmonize existing import rules and regulations in accordance with increasing global trade.
Yes. It expressly includes “their products and by-products.”
No. The scope is broadened to include live animals, plants, and fishes (and their products/by-products), indicating regulation covers more than just agricultural food products.
It may exclude companion animals (except horses) and other non-food animals not listed as endangered species under CITES, provided they are accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate from the country of origin.
The SPS Certificate is the Import Permit required prior to importation; the Sanitary/Phytosanitary/Health Certificate is the supporting document issued by the country of origin to accompany the shipment.
No. The Order states that imports without the required Import Permit are “deemed illegal,” regardless of the presence of the origin certificate.