Health and Safety Concerns
- The safety profile of beta-agonist drugs when used in food animals has not been firmly established.
- These compounds have been banned in other countries for use as lean-enhancing agents in food animals.
- There is an implied risk to public health due to residues of these drugs possibly entering the human food chain.
Prohibitions and Enforcement Measures
- The use of human beta-agonist drugs in food animals is hereby banned.
- Any application for registration of these drugs for such use shall be disapproved.
- If any registrations for these uses exist, they must be immediately revoked.
- All shipments of these compounds intended for use in food animals will be subject to stoppage and confiscation at all sea and air ports in the country.
Administrative Authority and Implementation
- The Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) is authorized to issue guidelines necessary for the effective enforcement of this Order.
- The Order has immediate effect upon issuance.
Legal Basis and Issuance
- The Order is issued by the Secretary of Agriculture, leveraging powers vested by law.
- The issuance responds to international precedents and national food safety concerns.
- It reflects the government’s commitment to protect public health from potential hazards associated with veterinary drug residues in the food supply.