Memorandum Order No. 16 Series of 2020 on the Temporary ban on the Importation of Domestic and Wild Birds and their products including meat, day old chicks, eggs and semen originating from Saudi Arabia

· Republic of the Philippines OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Elliptical Road. Oiliman 1100 Que2on Ciiy MEMORANDUM ORDER No I (f Series of 2020 SUBJECT: TEMPORARY BAN ON T HE IMPORTATION OF DOMESTIC AND WILD BIRDS AND THEIR PRODUCTS INCLUDING POULTRY MEAT, DAY OLD CHICKS, EGGS AND SEMEN ORIGlNATlNG FROM Saudi Arabia WHEREAS, Section 6 and 7 (2) and (4) of Executive Order No. 292 provides the authority and responsibility for the exercise of the mandate of the Department and for the discharge of its powers and functions shall be vested in the Secretary, who shall have supervision and control of the Department, to establish the policies and standards For the operation of the Department pursuant to the approved programs of government and promulgate administrative issuances necessary for the efficient administration of the offices under the Secretary and the proper execution of the laws relative thereto; WHEREAS, Section 1770 of Act No. 2711 (Revised Administrative Code of 1917) which was adopted by incorporation together with Sections 1761-1769, in Section 5 of Act 3639 (Charter of BAI) empowers the Department Head to issue a general order preventing the entry of animals, animal effects, parts or products from any country with dangerous communicable animal disease; WHEREAS. based on the official report submitted by Dr Sanad Alharbi, Director, Livestock Risk Assessment Department, Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) on 4 February 2020, that there was an outbreak of HSN8 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus in Sudair. Sudair, Riyadh, Ar Riyad affecting birds as confirmed by the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. Riyadh (National laboratory); WHEREAS, there is a need to prevent the entry of HPAI virus to protect the health of the local poultry population; NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM D. OAR, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby institute the following emergency measures for the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products from Saudi Arabia: 1. Banning the importation of domestic and wild birds and their products, including poultry meat, day old chicks. eggs, and semen; 2. Immediate suspension of the processing. evaluation of the application and issuance of Sanitary and Phytosanltary (SPS) import clearance to the above-stated commodities; 3. Stoppage and confiscation of all shipments of the above stated commodities into the country by all Veterinary Quarantine Officers/Inspectors at all major ports. This ORDER shall take effect immediately. Done this ?A of r4e(v<?-"1 2020. ' C~G.c: WILLIAM D. OAR, Ph.D. V Secretary O(,.All.ll.$1' OF AOIGCVl 'fUA.11 llllil lllllll RIJ 8~111Uflll1 l li\llllllll' In replytng pt$ cite lhls ucl• : For Signature: S-02·20-062S Fttu lved : 02n1rmoo1:3t PM ~- ~" .'A. fooa-secure Pfii{i pyines wltli yrosperous farmers ana fislierfoti