Question & AnswerQ&A (BAI DA-ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 18, S. 2008)
The Order applies to all animal establishments such as slaughterhouses, poultry dressing plants, stockyards, and holding areas which regularly handle animals for slaughter, as well as all persons, companies, or entities engaged in the handling and slaughter of animals for food and regulatory officers involved in supervision and regulation of these activities.
Humane slaughter is defined as the slaughter of food animals performed rapidly and away from public view, occurring with the least fear, anxiety, pain, and distress to the animal.
Slaughterhouses must have holding pens near but separate from slaughter halls, with appropriate space per animal, proper roofing, drainage, non-slip floors, ventilation, clean drinking water, and equipment like restrainers and knocking boxes for large animals.
The meat establishment operator is responsible for ensuring proper handling and reporting on the treatment of slaughter animals within the premises.
Prohibited acts include using sharp instruments to mark animals, forcible oral administration of water or fluids, and proceeding with sticking and bleeding without prior stunning.
Violators may face imprisonment of six months to two years, fines ranging from P1,000 to P5,000, or both. Additional administrative sanctions may include delisting, license cancellation, and accreditation revocation. Aliens found guilty shall be deported after serving their sentence.
Effective stunning devices include electric, mechanical, or controlled atmosphere stunners. Stunning must render the animal insensible to pain before sticking and bleeding and be suitable to the animal's size and type.
The maximum SSI for pigs, sheep, goats, and lambs is 15 seconds for reversibly stunned animals.
Food Animal Welfare Officers (FAWO), authorized by the National Meat Inspection Service or local government units, are tasked to perform functions related to the implementation and supervision of animal welfare guidelines and regulations.
Escaped animals must be retrieved using humane methods. If retrieval poses danger, the animal may be subjected to emergency slaughter using a firearm. Injured animals must be humanely stunned before slaughter; uninjured animals shall be returned to holding pens for slaughter.