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WHEREAS, pursuant to Presidential Decree 07, series of 1972 entitled "Prescribing the orderly marketing of livestock and animal products and regulations on animal feeds", it is necessary to formulate policies and procedures governing the flow of livestock in the various stages of marketing and the proper preservation and inspection of such products;

WHEREAS, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) eradication target could be achieved through strengthening, intensifying and ensuring appropriate measures to control the disease;

WHEREAS, the whole island of Mindanao, Batanes, Palawan, Regions VI and VII and Masbate were recognized as "FMD Free zones" and as such, all animals from these areas are not vaccinated and there is a need to impose strict restriction on stocking of animals from FMD Free areas and animals from endemic areas;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Administrative Order No. 27, series of 2004, "implementation of the eradication phase of the national program to control and eradicate FMD in the Philippines and Administrative Order No. 28, series of 2004, "guidelines on the movement and slaughter of swine and other FMD susceptible food animals;

WHEREAS, animals and slaughter from Visayas and Mindanao requires the availability of stockyard to serve as their hotels while awaiting buyers as well as all animals for slaughter.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LUIS P. LORENZO, JR., Secretary of Agriculture, do hereby issue this order:

SECTION 1. Objectives and Scope - To regulate the establishment, operation, management and accreditation of all stockyards in the Philippines who are engaged in the business of stocking/keeping animals temporarily for slaughtering, marketing or shipping or facility that serve as hotel for livestock.

SECTION 2. Criteria to be Considered in Selection of Proposed Stockyard -

1. Priority Considerations:

a. An area centrally located with good transport facilities.
b. A yard originally holding animals.
c. Interest and willingness of operator in the development of livestock industry.
d. The site should be at least 300 square meters for small animals and at least 1,000 square meters for large animals.

2. Minimum Requirements:

a. Facilities (design and layout will be provided by BAI)

1. Dial-type weighing scale/digital weighing scale
2. Sheds, pens, tie rails, corrals with water and feeding troughs
3. Office
4. Perimeter fence
5. Loading and Unloading ramps

b. Personnel^*

1. Stockyard Manager
2. Livestock Inspector/Veterinarian Local Government Unit
3. Livestock Grader
4. Livestock Weigher
5. Yardman/Helper
6. Security Guard

^* Number of personnel depends on workload

c. Stockyard Charges and Fees

SPECIE	Entrance1	Yardage2	Corral 3
Cattle	P10.00	P20.00	P20.00
Carabao	10.00	20.00	20.00
Horse	10.00	20.00	20.00
Goat	5.00	10.00	20.00
Hogs	5.00	10.00	30.00

¹ Fee collected upon the entrance of animals in the stockyard.
² Fee collected for the use of facilities.
³ Fee include the cost of feeds per day.

SECTION 3. Start of Operation

For a stockyard to operate, there is a need to secure a Certificate of Accreditation from the Director of the Bureau of Animal Industry.

SECTION 4. Recommend Operating Procedures

a. Maintenance of Stockyard Facilities

1. The manager shall see to it that the stockyard personnel maintain the yard, scale and other places, structures and other appurtenances clean, sanitary and in good order.

2. No vendor is allowed to do business inside the stockyard.

b. Bio-security Measures

1. Stockyard operator shall require the submission of the approved license of the livestock handler, Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC), Authority to Ship (AS), Shipping Permit (SP), Quarantine Inspection Clearance (QIC) of the animals before acceptance;

2. All animals shall be inspected before entering the stockyard;

3. All truck vans/containers should be properly disinfected and subject for wheel bathing;

4. A foothbath should be provided at the gate entrance of the stockyard;

5. Personnel and staffs of the stockyard as well as visitors should undergo proper bio-security measures (e.g. hand washing, foot bathing, etc.);

6. Animals coming from Disease Free area should be separated from the animals coming from endemic areas;

7. No feeding of left over foods.

c. Disposal of Dead or Sick Animals

1. The authorized veterinarian shall see to it that the dead or sick animals are properly disposed of.  The stockyard operator and shipper must agree for the cost of insurance to be built in the entrance fee of all animals to be stocked in the said stockyard;

2. It should be the responsibility of the LGU concerned to dispose infected animals and take necessary steps for the immediate slaughter of animals exposed to FMD and other diseases.

d. At the Entrance Gate

1. The Animal Health Officer shall inspect the animals for diseases and other infections and allow only healthy ones to be weighed, tagged and yarded to specific sheds and/or pens while awaiting buyers.

e. Payment of Market Charges

1. Management should see to it that stockyard charges are properly assessed and collected.

f. At the Exit Gate

1. The buyer shall present all necessary receipts/papers to the gate inspector, who shall thereafter, validate and verify the same and release the animals for loading.

g. Responsibilities of Stockyard Personnel

1. Stockyard Manager

a. Supervise and oversee the whole stockyard operation;
b. Ensure highest quality service from the stockyard personnel under him;
c. Imposition of bio-security measures in and out of stockyard premises.

2. Livestock Inspector/Veterinarian from Local Government Unit

a. Inspection of all animals entering the stockyard.
b. Implement bio-security measures.
c. Report occurrence of diseases or any symptoms of animal disease in the stockyard.
d. Help in maintaining good sanitation within the stockyard.

3. Livestock Grader/Weigher

a. Should be competent in grading all classes of livestock entering the stockyard.
b. Grade objectively each animal that passed through the weighing scale.
c. Check scale thoroughly and see to it that the same is mechanically perfect.
d. He must completely understand scale mechanism.
e. Keep scale clean and free of extraneous matter which can affect weight.
f. Adjust and record accurately.

4. Yardman/Helper

a. Direct animals to weighing scale.
b. Direct animals to holding area.
c. Direct animals from holding area to exit gate.

5. Security Guard

a. Seek livestock handler's license and all necessary documents accompanying the animals. (VHC, AS, SP and QIC)
b. Identify animals and owners.
c. Release animals to yardman.
d. Observe peace and order security in and out of the stockyard premises.

h. Marketing Provision

In case the animals are intended for marketing, they should be weighed and graded.  A weighing slip should be issued indicating the grade, weight and estimated price of animals. Buyers and sellers will then negotiate for the actual amount to be paid. Sold animals will be released only to buyers with proper documents.

SECTION 5. Application for Accreditation - Registration and accreditation of all stockyards in the country shall be handled by the BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY (BAI) through MARKETING DEVELOPMENT DIVISION (MDD).

SECTION 6. Requirements on Application - Along with the completed application form as may be prescribed by the Bureau of Animal Industry, each entity applying for accreditation shall submit a copy of the following documents:

1. Single Proprietorship - Special Power of Attorney
2. Partnership - a) Certificate from the Partners who are person with authority to bind the partnership
                             b) Article of Partnership

3. Corporation - a) Certificate from the Board of Directors who are person with author- ity to bind the corporation
                             b) Article of Incorporation
4. Two (2) pieces 1 x 1 ID picture
5. Business permit
6. City/Municipal permit
7. Tax Account Number (TIN) - can be secured from the nearest Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)
8. Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC)

SECTION 7. Essential Requirements Before Approval of Accreditation - Prior to approval of accreditation, a team from BAI shall inspect the site and facilities and ensure that the proposed stockyard had the standard set by the Bureau of Animal Industry.

All stockyard applicants must undergo a seminar/lecture to be conducted by the Marketing Development Division (MDD), Animal Health Division (AHD), National Veterinary Quarantine Services (NVQS), National Meat Inspection Commission (NMIC), Animal Welfare Division (AWD), and National Foot and Mouth Disease Task Force (NFMDTF) regarding proper handling of animals, transport and control during shipment and other responsibilities attached to accreditation of stockyard.

Failure on the part of the applicant to attend seminar should be considered a ground to disqualify the application or non-issuance of accreditation.

SECTION 8. Payment of Fees for Accreditation - The stockyard operator shall pay to the Cashier's Office, Bureau of Animal Industry the following fees:

1. Inspection Fee	P500.00
2. Accreditation	1,000.00
3. Seminar Fee	200.00
Total	P1,700.00

SECTION 9. Issuance of Accreditation - Upon submission of documents and compliance with the necessary requirements, certificate of accreditation shall be issued by the DIRECTOR of the Bureau of Animal Industry.

SECTION 10. Renewal of Accreditation - The accreditation is valid for one (1) year only and application for renewal should be at least one (1) month prior to expiration date.

SECTION 11. Revocation of Accreditation - Accreditation may be revoked for violation of the provisions stated in this administrative Order or guidelines at any time if the interest of the government so req uires.

SECTION 12. Monitoring - For purposes of monitoring, inspection of stockyards will be done twice (2x) a week by assigned Veterinary Quarantine Officers (VQA) in the municipality, city or provincial level.  The Marketing Development Division (MDD) of the Bureau of Animal Industry shall prepare a list of accredited stockyard and provide copy to all LGU levels for purposes of verification. In cases, the stockyard is located in the National Capital Region (NCR), the National Foot and Mouth Disease Task Force (NFMDTF) will inspect and monitor it regularly.

SECTION 13. Cooperating Agencies -

a. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (DA) will review and approve program policies and coordinate administrative enforcement.

1. Bureau of Animal Industry

a. Assist stockyard operator in the plan, design and construction of stockyard facilities.
b. Train technical personnel who will oversee the management and operation of the stockyard.
c. Train stockyard personnel in the weighing and grading of animals.
d. Formulate and implement rules, regulations and policies regarding operation of the stockyard.
e. Develop programs with the stockyard management in the improvement of services, facilities and disease eradication measures for livestock.

2. DA-Regional Field Units

a. Provide disease eradication measures and control services in the regions.
b. Assist BAI in the conduct of assessment/evaluation of proposed and operational stockyards in the regions.
c. Assist BAI in implementation of this Administrative Order regarding establishment, operation, management and accreditation of stockyards.

b. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (DILG) will be responsible in the full cooperation of all local government units in the implementation of this order.

1. Provincial Government and Local Government Unit (City/Municipality)

a. Assist in the implementation of the Administrative Order.
b. Monitor the sanitation of the stockyard premises.
c. Assist in the promotion to build up local animal population.
d. Assist Department of Agriculture in control and eradication of animal diseases.
e. Implement rules, regulations and policies regarding operation of the stockyard.

SECTION 14. Closure of the Stockyard - The Accreditation issued by the Director of the Animal Industry shall be revoked from authorized stockyard operators found to be violating any section of this Order. Failure by the stockyard operator to comply with the provisions of this Administrative Order shall be ground for closure.

SECTION 15. Penalties - Any stockyard operator found to be violating this Order, shall be subject to a fine of not less than One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) but not more than Ten Thousand Pesos (P10,000.00) or imprisonment of not less than two (2) months but not more than one year, or both, upon the discretion of the court, pursuant to Article 19 of R.A. 7394.

SECTION 16. Effectivity - This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after the publication of the same in the Official Gazette, and filing of three (3) copies thereof with the UP Law Center.

Adopted: 01 March 2004


Approved by:

(SGD.) LUIS P. LORENZO, JR.
Secretary
Department of Agriculture

Recommended by:

(SGD.) JOSE Q. MOLINA, DVM, MVS
Director IV
Bureau of Animal Industry