Supplemental Guidelines on the Transport of Animals by Sea (Memorandum Circular No. 04 Series of 2023)

t Republic of the Philippines OFFICE OF TH E SECRETARY Elliptical Road, Diliman 1100 Quezon City MEMORANDUM CIRCULARNO. O H Series of 2023 SUBJECT SUPPLEMENTAL GUIDELINES ON THE TRANSPORT OF ANIMALS BY SEA WHEREAS, the Bureau of Animal Industry (BA1) is mandated by the Republic Act (RA) 8485 otherwise known as the "Animal Welfare Act o f 1998" as amended by RA 10631, its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations to protect and promote the welfare of all animals in the Philippines by supervising and regulating the establishment and operations of all animal facilities, as well as transport of such animals in any form of public or private transportation facility and ensure that such establishments are adequate, clean and sanitary and will not be used for, nor cause pain and/or suffering to the animal; WHEREAS, Department of Agriculture - Administrative Order No. 2 series of 2002 (DA- AO No. 2 s. 2002) provides for the Rules and Regulations on the Transport of Live Animals by Sea and was promulgated to promote, ensure and protect the welfare of animals while they are being loaded and unloaded in the ports and conveyed at sea by vessels; WHEREAS, there is an urgent need to clarify and issue the necessary supplemental guidelines for animals being transported by sea as good handling and transport management is important to the welfare of the animals carried at sea; NOW, THEREFORE, I, DOMINGO F. PANGANIBAN, Senior Undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture, by the powers vested in me by law, do hereby issue the following supplemental guidelines on the transport of live animals by sea;1. Containers used to carry live animals must be appropriate for the species and sturdy to properly and securely contain the animal;2. For pet animals such as but not limited to dogs, cats, and rabbits, rigid plastic /wooden containers are acceptable. Containers made entirely of welded wire mesh or any other type of wire mesh are not suitable as this may cause injury while in conveyance and shall not be used. Non-rigid, collapsible and soft containers are likewise not allowed;3. Ventilation in the form of holes or welded wire mesh insert must be provided on all 4 sides of the container;4. Side walls must be solid with sufficient ventilation as prescribed. When containers are assembled from top and bottom part, these must be securely bolted together. Plastic clips must not be the only fasteners holding the top and bottom part together. The floor must be solid and leak-proof;5. Each animal in the container must have enough space to stand and to sit erect without the highest point of the head touching the roof of the container, to lie in a Page 1 of 2 natural flexed position and to turn about normally without bumping the walls of the container while standing;6. With the exception of dogs, not more than two (2) adult animals with a maximum total weight of six (6) kg, of comparable and compatible size, that are used to cohabiting may be shipped in the same container provided that both animals will have enough space to stand and to sit erect without the highest points of their head touching the roof of the container; both animals can lie in a natural flexed position; and both animals can turn about normally without bumping the walls of the container.All orders, rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with theprovisions of this order, are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.This ORDER shall take effect immediately.Done this?#*! day of 2023. DOMINGSenior U F. PANGANIBANlersecretary Page 2 of 2