Question & AnswerQ&A (BFAR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 221)
Aquatic Microorganisms include viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other similar organisms, and their products in any form.
Biomolecules are organic molecules and their synthetic forms occurring in living organisms.
The Competent Authority is the national aquatic animal health authority of a country or territory with officially approved responsibility and competence to ensure and supervise the implementation of aquatic animal health management.
They include finfish, mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, marine mammals, other species of aquatic flora and fauna, and all other products of aquatic living resources in any form.
GMOs are living organisms whose genetic material has been altered or modified by modern molecular biology to produce new substances or functions.
Low-Risk Species are those like aquarium fish perceived to present no ecological, genetic, or disease threats to native Philippine species and aquaculture.
The penalty includes imprisonment for eight years, a fine of eighty thousand pesos, destruction of live fish and fishery products or forfeiture of non-live fishery species to BFAR, and a ban from being members or stockholders of fisheries companies.
Importer must submit a duly accomplished application form, a proposal emphasizing health, ecological and genetic impacts, import risk analysis by the IRA Panel, health certificate from the competent authority of the country of origin, and comply with quarantine and inspection requirements.
The IRA Panel reviews all importation applications, categorizes species by risk level, serves as secretariat and clearing house of IRA cases, and may consult experts to resolve issues.
Import permits will not be issued for prohibited species, and any attempts to import such species will be rejected or subject to confiscation and destruction.