Key Definitions (Section I)
- Codex Alimentarius Commission (CODEX): International body for food standards recognized by WTO.
- Country of Origin: Country source of meat; processing significance determines origin labeling.
- Claim: Product representations regarding origin or qualities.
- Date of Expiration and Date of Minimum Durability: Safety or quality limits per CODEX or authorities.
- Foreign Meat Establishment (FME): Entity involved in slaughtering, processing, or trading meat.
- Imported Meat Inspection Clearance (IMIC): Issued by NMIC for disposition of imported meat.
- International Veterinary Certificate (IVC): Certification by exporting country confirming compliance with Philippines’ veterinary requirements.
- Lot Identification: Factory name and serial number of production.
- Meat and Meat Products: Definitions include fresh, chilled, frozen meat and processed meat products.
- Office Internationale des Epizootics (OIE): International veterinary health standards body.
- Qualified Importer and Exporter: Accredited entities by DA and veterinary authorities.
- Veterinary Administration: National veterinary authority implementing animal health and certification standards.
- Veterinary Quarantine Clearance (VQC)/SPS Import Permit: Clearance issued by BAI setting Philippine SPS requirements.
- Veterinary Quarantine Inspection Certificate (VQIC): Certificate after quarantine inspection for shipment.
Scope (Section II)
- Covers only meats and meat products listed in Annex A, including various meats of bovine, swine, sheep, goats, horses, poultry, edible offal, and other meat preparations under specified Harmonized Commodity Description codes.
Application Process for Veterinary Quarantine Clearance (Section III)
- Qualified importers must secure a VQC/SPS Import Permit before shipment.
- Application requires submission of forms with pro-forma invoice and fee payment to BAI.
- Evaluation and decision by BAI (with NMIC consultation) within 7 working days.
- One VQC per shipment issued with specified validity dependent on the source continent (30–90 days).
- Importers may request an extension of 15–30 days if shipment is in transit, subject to fee and formal request.
Exporting Country Requirements (Section IV)
- Only accredited FMEs recognized by exporting country's Veterinary Administration allowed to export to the Philippines.
- Exporters must secure approved VQC/SPS Import Permit copy before shipment.
- Mandatory packing and labeling requirements:
- Food grade packaging materials.
- Labels comply with Philippine Consumer Act and BFAD regulations including trade name, exporter/importer info, country of origin, lot identification, ingredients, net content (metric), manufacturing and expiration dates, handling instructions.
- Exporter must obtain an IVC containing OIE model health certificate minimum info and official seal.
- Only fresh/chilled/frozen meat and meat products at valid dates of minimum durability or canned meat within one year before expiry allowed.
- Shipment date must not precede VQC issuance date.
Shipment Release Procedures (Section V)
- Importer must notify DA Veterinary Office at least three days before arrival with Notice of Arrival and VQC.
- Shipment must carry an English or translated IVC from the exporting country's Veterinary Administration.
- Customs release contingent upon:
- Presentation of original VQC, Bill of Lading/Airway Bill, and Packing List.
- Completion of veterinary quarantine inspection by DAVQO through sampling and documentation.
- Payment of quarantine inspection fees.
- Resealing of containers with BAI seal.
- Issuance of VQIC and endorsement "Inspected and Passed" on import documents.
- NMIC inspects goods within 48 hours post-release, conducts laboratory analysis, and issues IMIC within 3 working days.
- IMIC subject to surveillance and mandatory recall if lab results show unfitness.
Confiscation and Disposition (Section VI)
- Confiscation grounds include:
- Lack or irregularity of VQC, SPS Import Permit, or IVC documents.
- Mismatch in volume or information in documents.
- Non-compliant packaging or labeling.
- Unauthorised unloading or tampering with seals without NMIC presence.
- Confiscated goods follow BOC regulations with DA quarantine and quality controls.
- Immediate destruction or return required for goods:
- From banned countries/zones due to disease.
- Infected with OIE-listed diseases or carrying harmful organisms.
- Contaminated or adulterated with toxins or unsanitary conditions.
- Expired beyond date of minimum durability.
- Importer bears all costs related to confiscation and disposal; refusal to pay creates a lien on future imports.
Penalty Provisions (Section VII)
- Violators penalized under Article 19 of the Consumer Act (Republic Act No. 7394), imposing appropriate sanctions.
Transitional Provisions (Section VIII)
- Existing importers and exporters automatically accredited for one year from effectivity.
- Subject to review and assessment within this period.
Repealing and Separability Clauses (Sections IX and X)
- Previous inconsistent regulations repealed including DA Administrative Order No.16 (2000).
- Provisions declared separable; invalidity of any part does not affect the remainder.
Effectivity and Review (Section XI)
- Order takes effect 30 days after publication in two national newspapers.
- Subject to annual review for necessary updates or amendments.
Annex A: Covered Meat Categories
- Detailed list of meat and meat product codes based on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System covering various meats, offal, fats, sausages, and prepared or preserved meat related products.