Question & AnswerQ&A (DA MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 8)
The main purpose is to provide guidelines for the phytosanitary inspection of regulated articles such as plants and plant products derived from modern biotechnology intended for direct use as food, feed, or for processing, pursuant to Administrative Order No. 8, series of 2002.
The Circular covers the issuances of permits on or after July 1, 2003.
They must carry a certificate of GMO content issued by an authorized body from the country of origin or by an accredited laboratory.
A copy of the certificate must be submitted to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) within 15 days from arrival and shall serve as part of the notification required under Section 12H of AO No. 8.
It is a registry maintained by the Bureau of Plant Industry listing transformation events of plants and plant products of GM origin that have been determined to pose no significant risks to human health and the environment.
Only an import permit and/or phytosanitary permit are required; no separate biosafety permit is necessary.
The plant or plant product will not be allowed entry unless accompanied by a biosafety permit; importations without such permit may be disposed of by the Bureau of Customs according to the Tariff and Customs Code.
The declaration must indicate whether the shipment contains GM ingredients and if yes, list the probable transformation events.
The Bureau of Plant Industry and the Bureau of Animal Industry.
A screening test to determine the presence or absence of GMOs and an identification (ID) test to identify the present GMO transformation events.
It took effect immediately upon its adoption on May 15, 2003.