Question & AnswerQ&A (BAI MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 5)
Any person or business entity engaged in the inter-provincial or regional handling, transportation, or distribution of livestock and poultry products and by-products, including livestock/poultry dealers, carriers, meat handlers, vendors, processors, milk and egg handlers, butchers, hide handlers, and meat cutters.
Classifications include Livestock/Poultry Dealer (LPD), Livestock/Poultry Carrier (LPC), Meat Handler Dealer (MDH), Meat Vendor (MV), Meat Processor (MP), Milk Handler/Dealer (MHD), Egg Handler/Dealer (EHD), Butcher/Dresser (BD), Hide Handler/Dealer (HHD), and Meat Cutter (MC).
Applications in Metro Manila are handled by the Marketing Development Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), while those in other regions are handled by the Livestock Division of the respective Regional Field Offices of the Department of Agriculture (DA-RFO).
Applicants must submit a completed and notarized application form along with registration papers such as Articles of Incorporation for corporations, SEC or domestic trade registrations for partnerships, and business registration for single proprietorships.
Applicants must undergo a seminar or lecture conducted by the BAI or DA-RFO on proper handling of animals and meat, equipment and transport vehicles, shipment control, and responsibilities related to the license.
A total of 200 pesos consisting of 50 pesos for registration and certificate, 50 pesos for license issuance, and 100 pesos as seminar fee.
The license is valid for one year and must be renewed at least one month before expiration. Renewal requires application and compliance with the guidelines.
The license may be revoked for violations of BAI rules, regulations, or guidelines or if the government deems it necessary in the interest of public welfare.
Penalties include a fine not exceeding One Thousand Pesos, imprisonment of not more than One Year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
The Marketing Development Division of BAI must prepare monthly lists of registered and licensed handlers, and DA-RFO Livestock Divisions must send monthly transaction reports to BAI.
It is prohibited to buy or transport meat from non-NMIC accredited slaughterhouses or to ship livestock products knowing a dangerous communicable animal disease is present without notifying authorities.