Question & AnswerQ&A (DOA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 56, S. 2000)
The primary purpose of DA Administrative Order No. 56, series of 2000 is to amend AO 39, series of 2000 by providing enhanced and refined guidelines on the importation of meat and meat products into the Philippines.
The packaging must meet the minimum relevant labelling requirements as defined in Article 77, Chapter IV of the Consumer Act of the Philippines and BFAD AO No. 88-B, series of 1984. The label on each box must include: registered trade and brand name, exporter’s business name and address, country of origin, lot identification, product description and/or ingredients, net quantity, manufacture and packaging date, expiration or 'best before' date, and handling and storage instructions, all in English or Filipino with specified minimum font sizes.
The shipment must be accompanied by an original Veterinary Quarantine Certificate (VQC), original Importer’s Veterinary Certificate (IVC) issued and translated in English by the Veterinary Administration of the country of origin, Bill of Lading/Airway Bill, and Packing list.
The steps include presentation of required documents to the Department of Agriculture Veterinary Quarantine Office (DAVQO) for verification, mandatory veterinary quarantine inspection through random sampling, payment of quarantine inspection fee, and issuance of a Veterinary Quarantine Inspection Certificate (VQIC) with an 'Inspected and Passed' mark on the original import documents.
Imported meat and meat products lacking authentic VQC or IVC shall be confiscated by authorities.
Confiscation occurs if the shipment lacks valid VQC/SPS Import Permit or IVC; if the shipment is removed from storage before issuance of the IMIC; if quantity exceeds approved volume by more than 3%; improper labelling or packaging without timely corrective measures; or discrepancies between IVC and VQC information, among others.
The importer is given seven (7) days to undertake corrective measures. If more time is needed, the importer must provide guarantees to ensure that corrective measures will be completed within 30 days.
The consignee must notify the National Meat Inspection Center (NMIC) by submitting a Request for Meat Inspection and Laboratory Analysis. NMIC then conducts meat inspection by random sampling within 48 hours and submits microbial and chemical analyses to determine compliance with Philippine standards.
Yes, all existing importers and exporters shall be considered accredited unless the Department of Agriculture revokes such accreditation upon review and assessment.