SGS INSPECTION OF BUFFALO MEAT EXPORT FROM INDIA TO THE PHILIPPINES

WHEREAS, the importation of buffalo meat from India to the
Philippines is covered by an existing guidelines, DA Memorandum Circular
No. 2, Series of 1998, as amended;

WHEREAS, Department of Agriculture (DA) AO 9, Series of 1993
likewise provides for the rules and regulations implementing RA 7394,
otherwise known as “The Consumer Act of 1992” to protect the interests
of the consumer, promote his general welfare and to establish standards
of conduct for business and industry;

WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to prevent the entry of exotic
diseases and eradi­ cate animal diseases which have the potential for
causing very serious and rapid spread, create serious socio-economic or
public health consequence and which are considered of major importance
in the international trade of meat and meat products;

WHEREAS, an integrated, rationalized and transparent rules and
regulations govern­ ing the importation of meat and meat products for
efficiency in trade while ensuring the protection of the consumer and
the animal population against hazards to health and safety are still
being prepared in an Administrative Order by DA; or further deliberated
in House and Senate Bill on Meat Importation; and

WHEREAS, India is not yet recognized as OIE FMD-free country or zone;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, EDGARDO J. ANGARA, Secretary ofAgriculture,
do hereby issue this Order for the imposition of inspection of the
Societe Generale de Surveillance (SGS) for all buffalo meat importation
from India.

The specific guideline is as follows:

a. SGS must verify health certificate before sealing the reefer
containers at the source loading point at accredited abattoir in
Aurangabad, Hyderabad and Aligarh. In addition, the containers should be
secured with bottle seats provided by the Shipping Company. Each of the
seals should bear the distinctive serial number and the same should
affixed in the presence of SGS inspectors.

b   SGS must check the seal affixed by them, once the containers arrive in Bombay port for transhipment

c.  SGS should certify the container numbers, contents and
quantity, seal numbers and] that the goods have been processed in the
accredited plant where they have been loaded.

All orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are
inconsistent with the pro­visions of this Order are hereby repealed or
modified accordingly.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

Adopted: 04 Oct. 1999

(SGD.) EDGARDO J. ANGARA
Secretary