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(NAR) VOL. 5 NO. 1/JANUARY - MARCH 1994

[ DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 1, s. 1994, February 11, 1994 ]

REVISED GUIDELINES FOR THE FEEDER CATTLE IMPORTATION BY THE PRIVATE SECTOR



WHEREAS, the Department of Agriculture, after a thorough review and evaluation of the cattle industry, recognizes the urgent need to rebuild the cattle population of the entire country;

WHEREAS, this is shown by the negative average annual growth rate of 1.1% of the national herd population for the period from 1980 - 1992. Further that this is evidenced by the dearth in the supply of feeder cattle and by the uncontrolled slaughter of animals which are still fit for breeding;

WHEREAS, allowing the importation of live cattle for fattening by the private sector will fill up the short supply of feeder cattle as a temporary expedient;

WHEREAS, in addition to feeder cattle, the continued introduction of breeding females from non-domestic sources is also encouraged to replenish/augment the local breeder base;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROBERTO S. SEBASTIAN, Secretary of Agriculture, do hereby issue the following set of guidelines in order to effect a rational, equitable and sound implementation of the cattle importation program:

SECTION 1.       Qualified Importers - Only those with the necessary resources, equipment and facilities can participate in the program. They could either be:

1.         Established feedlot operators.

2.         Bonafide cattle ranchers, and small holder farmers/backyard raisers who may organize themselves into a consortium/cooperative and are capable of financing the importation and related needs of the program.

3.         Any registered organization or cooperative who, in support of the DA’s livelihood projects in the rural areas, shall farm out the imported animals to contract growers/participating farmers.

SECTION 2.       Specifications for Animals - (1) No single imported animal should weigh over 330 kilograms.

2.         Animals are to undergo a feeding and finishing period of at least ninety (90) days.

3.         Effective March 1, 1994, each feeder cattle importer shall include 10% breeding heifers in his importation. This means that for every ten (10) animals imported, nine (9) will be feeders and one (1) will be pregnant breeding heifer. This ratio of feeder-breeder will be reviewed by the Livestock Development Council (LDC) every six (6) months.

4.         The animals must have a clean bill of health certified by a competent authority from an accredited country of origin, and shall comply with all existing regulations related to health as required by the Bureau of Animal Industry on the importation of live animals.

5.         The animals that arrive in the country shall undergo a quarantine period of at least thirty (30) days. After prior inspection and the place is certified as appropriate by the Veterinary Quarantine Officer, quarantine may be allowed in the importer’s area preferably in place separate from the rest of the herd. The Veterinary Quarantine Officer will oversee and then certify that such was effected.

SECTION 3.       Mechanics of Importation

1.         Accreditation of Feedlots/Ranches

  1. Only accredited feedlots/ranches can import and handle feeder cattle under this program. For this purpose, prospective importers/participants of the program shall apply for accreditation to the Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary for Livestock through the DA Livestock Imports Evaluation Group (DA-LIEG).

In case of livestock contract growers, their respective contracted farms shall also be subject to accreditation.

Application for accreditation of feedlot/ranch must be submitted at least three months before the scheduled arrival of animals to be imported.

  1. The DA-LIEG shall inspect the feedlot of the prospective importers/operators to determine:

    b.1       Technical and financial capability to undertake the importation.

    b.2       Availability and sufficiency of feeds/pasture grasses to support the imported and other stock of the feedlot operator.

    b.3       Adequacy of feedlot facilities e.g. floor space, catching corrals, holding pens, feeding and watering troughs, with access to livestock scales, etc.

    b.4       For range fattening operation, adequacy of facilities e.g. night corral, water supply, etc..

    b.5       Conformity to environmental rules and regulations in the area where the feedlot/ranch is located. For this purpose, a Certificate of Environmental Clearance issued by the concerned agency in the municipality is necessary.

    b.6       Compliance with all municipal ordinances/requirements for business operations.


  2. If the feedlot/ranch meets all the required criteria, the DA-LIEG shall recommend the feedlot’s accreditation to the Assistant Secretary for Livestock of the DA.

  3. A Certificate of Accreditation shall then be issued by the DA, a copy of which shall be furnished the BAI.

  4. Quarterly inspection of these feedlots will be done by DA-LIEG.

2.         Issuance of Import Permits

  1.  Only accredited feedlots/ranches can apply for import permits.

Application for import permits are to be made at least two months before the expected arrival of the imported animals.

  1. Owners of accredited feedlots/ranches or their authorized representative shall file their request to import animals with the BAI. The BAI will process the applications and those that meet the criteria shall be forwarded to the Assistant Secretary for Livestock.

  2. The Assistant Secretary’s office will confirm the status and performance of the individual applicants and document the possible impact of the importation on the over-all Livestock Development Program.

The application shall then be endorsed to the Secretary or his authorized representative for approval.

  1. Copies of the approved import permits are distributed as follows:

    1.       Original - Importer’s bank

    2.       Duplicate - Bureau of Customs

    3.       Triplicate - Importer

    4.       Quadruplicate - BAI

  2. Application for L/C’s for the importation of feeder cattle must be accompanied by an import clearance or permit from the DA and/or DA’s concerned agency as a pre-requisite.

3.         Pre-arrival Arrangements

The importer and/or supplier must inform both the office of the Assistant Secretary for Livestock and the BAI of the date of expected arrival of each shipment of animals one week prior to the date of arrival.

4.         Arrival Arrangements

  1. Upon arrival of the animals at the point of disembarkation, a Veterinary Quarantine Officer shall inspect the animals on board. The BAI Veterinarian shall then make a report on his inspection and submit the same to the BAI Director with a copy to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Livestock within fifteen (15) days after arrival.

  2. The BAI and DA may undertake weighing of animals at the point of disembarkation. The DA may also undertake such other steps as are necessary to ensure compliance with rules and regulations concerning importation of animals under this program.

  3. Importer shall submit a report on the landed cattle to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Livestock within seven (7) days from the arrival of the animals (Report Form 1).

5.         Post-Arrival Arrangements

a.    Within the quarantine period, all imported animals are to be registered in the municipality where they are located for issuance of Original Certificate of Ownership. After payment of the necessary registration fees, a copy of the Official Receipt covering the payments shall be submitted to the DA-ASEC for Livestock. This shall be submitted along with the monthly reports on the performance of the animals described below (b).

b.    Monthly reports on the performance and movements of the imported animals are to be accomplished by the importer and submitted to the DA-ASEC for Livestock (Report Form 2).

SECTION 4.       Penalty Provisions - Non-compliance by the suppliers/importers of the prescribed procedures above will be dealt with in the following manner:

1.         Supplier

a.    For bringing in animals over the weight limit.

a.1       First Violation - Warning; imposition of the 30% tariff on overweight animals; payment of the weighing cost and other administrative charges.

a.2       Second Violation - The supplier will be blacklisted for one year.

a.3       Third Violation - Absolute blacklisting of the company.

b.    For bringing in animals without Import Permit.

b.1       Laws govern this matter, hence, violation will be coursed through legal channels.

2.         Importer/Feedlot Operator

a.    Slaughter animals earlier than prescribed period.

a.1       First Violation - Warning.

a.2       Second Violation - Cancellation of Accreditation

b.    Dispersal of animals to unaccredited feedlot.

b.1       First Violation - Warning.

b.2       Second Violation - Non-issuance of Import Permit for one year.

c.    Failure of the importer to account for 10% of the total shipment.

c.1       First Violation - Warning.

c.2       Second Violation - Cancellation of Accreditation

d.    For bringing in animals over the weight limit.

d.1       First Violation - Warning; imposition of the 30% tariff on overweight animals; payment of the weighing cost and other charges

d.2       Second Violation - The importer will be blacklisted for one year

d.3       Third Violation - Cancellation of Accreditation

e.    Others (Reports, etc.)

e.1       First Violation - Warning.

e.2       Second Violation - Non-issuance of Import Permit for six (6) months.

SECTION 5.       Revoking Clause - This Order expressly revokes Administrative Order No. 03 dated January 25, 1993.

SECTION 6.       Effectivity - The interim plan to allow the importation of feeder cattle shall be implemented effective upon approval. A periodic review by the LDC Executive Committee on the feeder cattle importation program shall be done.

Adopted: 11 Feb. 1994


(Sgd.) ROBERTO S. SEBASTIAN
Secretary




CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION
No. ____

____________________ located at
(Name of Establishment)

___________________________________________________

(Address)

owned by __________________________ upon satisfying all the requirements set by the Department of Agriculture is awarded this Certificate of Accreditation. As such, the abovementioned establishment is qualified to import cattle for fattening. The feedlot capacity is _______________ at any given time.    (no. of feeder stock)

This accreditation is valid for a period of one year from date of issue subject to revocation should the Department of Agriculture find any violation to its established rules and regulations.

Issued this ____ day of ________________, 1993.

________________________________
Assistant Secretary for Livestock

________________________________

Permit No. _________


Permit to Import

This authorizes _________________________________________________
(Entity)

to import from ________________________________________________________

Country of Origin)

___________________________________________(______________) head of ____________________________________________________________________.
  (class of animal)

The animals will be discharged at the port of ______________________. Should there be any deviation, the office of the Assistant Secretary for Livestock shall be notified. Aforecited importer has satisfied all the requirements for importation as set by the Department of Agriculture.

This Permit to Import is valid for the period from ___________________________________

_________, 19____ to____________________, 19___.

ROBERTO S. SEBASTIAN
Secretary

cc:                 original - Importer’s bank
                      duplicate - Bureau of Customs
                      triplicate - Importer
                      Quadruplicate - BAI
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