Memorandum Circular No. 3 Series 2019 on the Prohibition of Unloading of Food Wastes from Ships

Republic of the Philippines Department of Agriculture OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Elliptical Road, Diliman Quezon City, 11 oo Philippines September 26, 2019 MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. l-3 Series of 2019 SUBJECT: PROHIBITION OF UNLOADING OF FOOD WASTES FROM SHIPS WHEREAS, Resolution MEPC.219(63) of the Marine Environment Protection Committee which came into force on 1 August 2013 general ly prohibits the discharge of any garbage in the ocean, with the exception of food wastes, cargo residues, wash-water, and animal carcasses; WHEREAS, International Convention for the Prevention of PoUution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex V, which contain regulations for the prevention of pollu tion by garbage from ships, provides that comminuted or ground food wastes must be able to pass through a screen with mesh openings no larger than twenty-five (25) millimeters and must be discharged at not less than three (3) nautical miles from the nearest land while other food wastes not comminuted or ground must be discharged not less than twelve (12) nautical miles from the nearest land. WHEREAS, food wastes from seaports are currently unloaded to the port of destination and collected and disposed by waste management facilities. Such food wastes can be prepared for swill feeding of animals. WHEREAS, the introduction of transboundary animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and African Swine Fever (ASF) through feeding of food wastes from ships can lead to severe economic impact, in particular to the PHP 260B pig industry. NOW THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM D. DAR, Ph.D. Acting Secretary of Agriculture, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law do hereby issue this Circular prohibiting the unloading of food wastes from ships. Further, the Veterinary Quarantine Officers assigned at various Veterinary Quarantine Stations are directed to monitor that no food wastes are unloaded. This Memorandum Circular shaJJ take effect immediately and shall remain in force until officially revoked. All orders and memoranda inconsistent herewith are deemed revoked or amended accordingly. {'~·c.~ WILLIAM D. DAR, Pb D ~ ..... T . . ........ , ... n.., Acting Secretary 1mJUIIIIUIIIIIWHIIKIIEIIIIIIIII m rtp!ytng ,its dlt tnh eH, For Signature; S-10-19-0256 Rtu!no 10JOl.1'10t9 03·11' PM "-'-1.food:sec"re 'Pfii{~p p1nes witli pros perousfarmers and-fisfie rfolk" ~