Approval Registry and Entry Requirements
- No entry of plants or plant products for food, feed, or processing without undergoing approval as per Department of Agriculture Administrative Order No. 8, s. 2002.
- Imported GM plants/products must have a certificate of GMO content from an authorized body or accredited lab.
- Certificate copy must be submitted to the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) within 15 days from arrival.
- Plant products with transformation events in BPI’s Approval Registry (issued by July 1, 2003) require only an import and/or phytosanitary permit.
- No separate biosafety permit necessary for registered transformation events determined safe.
- Products with transformation events not in the Approval Registry require a biosafety permit for customs clearance.
- Unauthorized imports without biosafety permit will be disposed of per the Tariff and Customs Code.
Declaration Requirements for GMO Content
- Each regulated article shipment must include a GMO declaration.
- Declaration must state presence or absence of GM ingredients.
- If GM ingredients present, probable transformation events should be listed.
- Plant Quarantine Officer to verify and sign the declaration.
GMO Content Verification Procedures
- BPI and Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to conduct random checks on imports for GMO content.
- Emphasis on commodities known for genetic modification and commercial cultivation abroad.
- Two-stage testing:
- Screening test to detect presence or absence of GMOs.
- Identification (ID) test to determine specific transformation events present.
Implementation and Repeal
- Circular takes effect immediately upon issuance on May 15, 2003.
- Supersedes and repeals inconsistent prior issuances.