QuestionsQuestions (OP EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 49)
It sets the rules and requirements governing the importation of live cattle and meat/meat products into the Philippines, including accreditation, SPS clearance (VQC/SPS Clearance), border control procedures, labeling requirements, confiscation/disposition, and penalties.
Only the minimum requirements set by OIE, especially relating to List A and B diseases present in Brazil at the time of importation, must be followed.
Only cattle from FMD-free areas of Brazil may be imported.
Imported cattle may be allowed only to FMD endemic areas in the Philippines where vaccination is practiced.
There must be a separate protocol: imported feeder cattle are for slaughter purposes only and must not be used as breeder animals in any case.
To undertake pre-shipment quarantine and witness loading; the pre-shipment quarantine must be at least thirty (30) days and the officer examines clinical signs and necessary documents.
Only the president/CEO/general manager of the firm or through its authorized representative(s) may undertake application processing and receipt of the VQC.
The accredited importer must (1) submit a duly accomplished application form disclosing that the meat/meat products are still at the country of origin and not yet boarded; (2) submit the relevant pro-forma invoice; and (3) pay the necessary application fees.
Among others: absence of relevant diseases/pests/contaminations in the relevant area(s) and including routes; FME is in good standing; importer is in good standing; risk management conditions based on OIE and Codex; and other factors necessary and pertinent to SPS concerns.
A VQC is valid for 60 days without extension from issuance, during which meat/meat products must be shipped out. Shipments beyond validity render the shipment illegal and it shall be confiscated and disposed of under Section X.
A VQC can only be used for the shipment described in it. Violating this makes the importation unlawful and subject to disposition/confiscation under Section X, and also constitutes a violation of the administrative order subject to the penalties.
Transshipped meat and/or meat products into the Philippines are not covered by the order (Section II(c)).
All shipments undergo documentary verification and veterinary inspection by DA; BOC releases only after completion. The VQO verifies authenticity/validity of VQC/IVC/Bill of Lading/Packing List, conducts quarantine inspection, reseals containers, issues VQMILC and stamps documents, issues receipt for inspection fees, endorses VQMILC to NMIS, and BOC final liquidation follows based on the NMIS completed VQMILC.
One (1) day for inspection when the FME is in “Good Standing.” Five (5) days for inspection and laboratory analysis for New Product Suppliers, when an FME is delisted from “Good Standing,” or when emergencies exist at source/route/transshipment.
Examples include: broken container seat; lack of valid VQC; no IVC; quantity exceeding VQC/IVC by more than 3% per item; not sourced from an accredited FME; slaughtered animals not from DA-approved areas; false claims/misbranding/mislabelling; arrived beyond expiration date; non-conforming labeling; infected by OIE List A/B diseases; or other deliberate violations including refusal to access documents.
Violations are penalized under Article 19 (Penalty) of RA 7394 (Consumer Act) and/or, for fraudulent/unlawful importation, under Section 3601 of the Tariff and Customs Code. Public officials involved may be held administratively and/or criminally liable under the Anti-Graft Law, Civil Service Law, conduct rules, and ethics standards.