MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF QUALITY SUPERVISION INSPECTION AND QUARANT…

Bilateral
Download PDF Source

The Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as “the Participants”),

WITH A VIEW of effectively preventing the entry and spread of pests and epidemic diseases of animals and plants from one Participant to the other, in order to protect the production of agriculture and forestry; 

ENCOURAGED by the common will to promote and strengthen bilateral exchange and cooperation in the field of animal and plant inspection and quarantine;

HAVE REACHED the following understanding:

Paragraph 1 

General Provisions

The Participants will strengthen and promote bilateral cooperation in the field of animal and plant inspection and quarantine. Activities under this Memorandum of Understanding will be in accordance with the respective laws and regulations of each Participant, without prejudice to the right and obligations pursuant to other signed international agreements.

Paragraph 2 

Mode of Cooperation

The Participants decide to enter into the following mode of cooperation:

1.
Exchange and sharing of information concerning animal and plant inspection and quarantine, as well as briefings on their respective laws, regulations, standards and other measures in the above field;
2.
Exchange of visits, technologies, and expertise in the field of animal and plant inspection and quarantine;
3.
Conducting joint seminars and training courses in the field of animal and plant inspection and quarantine;
4.
Strengthening the connection among relevant agencies within the two countries and establish an information notification system;
5.
Conducting collaborative research in the field of animal and plant inspection and quarantine;
6.
Establishing an alert mechanism on animal and plant inspection and quarantine;
7.
Promptly notifying the other Participant of any incidence/occurrence of diseases that affect the health of animals and the protection of plant life within their own territories; and
8. Taking appropriate measures to promptly resolve the emerging issues which affect the bilateral trade based on full consultation.


Paragraph 3 

Implementation

 

1.
In order to effectively implement this MOU, a working group will be established. This Working Group will be responsible for the specific exchanges and activities in the field of animal and plant inspection and quarantine, including planning, implementation, monitoring and cooperation.
2.
Meetings of the Working Group will be held as required to deal with the important matters arising from bilateral cooperation and to coordinate or resolve the inspection and quarantine issues of common concern or interest. The date, place, procedure and agenda of the meeting will be decided through mutual consultation.
3.
The implementing and coordinating agencies of this Memorandum of Understanding shall be:
  For the People’s Republic of China:
 
*
The Department of Supervision on Animal and Plant Quarantine under the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China.
  For the Republic of the Philippines:
 
*
The Bureau of Plant Industry, Bureau of Animal Industry, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and the National Meat Inspection Service which will be coordinated by the Office of the Undersecretary for Policy, Planning, Project Development, R&D, and Regulations under the Department of Agriculture of the Republic of the Philippines.


Paragraph 4  

Financial Arrangements

 

1.
Unless otherwise agreed upon, the Participants will mobilize the fund for their own respective participation in activities carried out under this Memorandum of Understanding, including expenditure for international travel, board and lodging.
2.
The host country will bear the expenditure for organizing working group meetings.


Paragraph 5  

Consultations


In case of disagreement or dispute arising from the interpretation, implementation and/or application of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Participants decide to resolve it through friendly consultation and mutual understanding.

Paragraph 6 

Final Provisions

1.
This Memorandum of Understanding take effect on the date of later written notification by the Participants, through diplomatic channels, indicating that the domestic requirements for its effectivity have been complied with.
2.
This Memorandum of Understanding will be valid for a period of five years, and will be automatically renewed for similar periods, unless either Participant requests its termination by written notification to the other Participant, through diplomatic channels, six months prior to the date of expiration.
3.
The termination of this Memorandum of Understanding will not affect investment projects that are currently in progress.
4.
This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended or supplemented at any time by mutual consent of the Participants. Such amendment will take effect in accordance with the provision on effectivity.

SIGNED in duplicate in Beijing on, each in Chinese and English, all texts being equally authentic. In case of divergence in interpretation, the English text will prevail.

   
 

(Sgd.) (Sgd.)
Department of Agriculture The General Administration of
of the Republic of the Philippines Quality Supervision, Inspection
  and Quarantine of the People’s
  Republic of China 

 

More in Bilateral