Republic of the Philippines
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City

(a)

FISHERIES ADMINISTRATIVE )
ORDER NO. ______
Series of 2007 )

SUBJECT: Rules governing the organization and implementation of official controls on the fishery and aquaculture products
intended for human consumption for export to the EU market

WHEREAS, RA 8550 Section 65 (l) mandates the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources DA-BFAR to implement an inspection system for the import and export of fishery and aquaculture products and fish processing establishments consistent with international standards to ensure product quality and safety;

WHEREAS, RA 8550 Section 107 mandates DA- BFAR to promulgate fisheries administrative orders for purposes of fishery regulation or other fishery adjustments;

WHEREAS, the EU Commission, in Decision 95/190/EC dated May18, 1995, recognizes the DA- BFAR, as the Competent Authority (CA) in the Philippines to effectively ensure that the quality and safety standards of fishery and aquaculture products exported to EU are compliant to the relevant EU laws, rules and regulations (i.e.: 178/2002/EC 882/2004/EC and 854/2004/EC;

WHEREAS, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures recognizes the right of member countries to implement SPS measures necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health;

WHEREAS, Article 11.1.3 of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) urges the Member States to set minimum standards for safety and quality assurance and ensure that these standards are effectively applied throughout the industry and promote their implementation as agreed within the context of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission and other relevant organizations or arrangements;

WHEREAS, Article 11.2.12 of the CCRF encourages the Member States to cooperate in developing internationally acceptable rules and standards for trade in fish and fishery products in accordance with the principles, rights, and obligations established in the WTO agreement;

NOW THEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, the following rules and regulations governing the organization and implementation of official controls on aqua-feed, fishery and aquaculture products intended for human consumption for export to the EU market are hereby promulgated for the information and guidance of all concerned.

Draft Administrative Order - CA REvised

Send comments to:

Consuelo C. Baltazar
Head, Administrative Support and Product Certification Unit
E-mail: cbaltazar@bfar.da.gov.ph

Simeona S. Regidor
Head, Fish Health Section
E-mail: sregidor@bfar.da.gov.ph

(b)

FISHERIES ADMINISTRATIVE )
ORDER NO. 300_____
Series of 2007 )

SUBJECT: RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE EXPORTATION OF FISH AND AQUACULTURE PRODUCTS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU) MEMBER COUNTRIES

WHEREAS, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures recognizes the right of member countries to implement SPS measures necessary to protect human, animal or plant life or health.

WHEREAS, the condition for international trade, investment and market access to fish and aquaculture products requires an increase compliance to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) controls and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) requirements.

WHEREAS, Article 11.1.3 of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (CCRF) urges the States to set minimum standards for safety and quality assurance and make sure that these standards are effectively applied throughout the industry and promote its implementation as agreed within the context of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission and other relevant organizations or arrangements.

WHEREAS, Article 11.2.12 of the CCRF encourages the states to cooperate in developing internationally acceptable rules and standards for trade in fish and fishery products in accordance with the principles, rights, and obligations established in the WTO agreement.

WHEREAS, EU Commission Decision 95/190/EC recognizes the Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA - BFAR) as the Competent Authority in the Philippines, mandated to effectively verify the application / enforcement of relevant EU laws and regulations.

WHEREAS, Section 62 of Republic Act 8550 or the Philippine Fisheries Code of 1998 mandates the DA - BFAR to set quality grades/standards for all fishery products for export and import.

WHEREFORE, in view of these premises, the following rules and regulations governing the exportation of fish and aquaculture products exclusively to EU member countries are hereby promulgated for the information and guidance of all concerned.

Fisheries Administrative Order August 07 2007 version

Send comments to:

Consuelo C. Baltazar
Head, Administrative Support and Product Certification Unit
E-mail: cbaltazar@bfar.da.gov.ph

Simeona S. Regidor
Head, Fish Health Section
E-mail: sregidor@bfar.da.gov.ph