Phl lifts ban on imports of FMD susceptible animals from Japan

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has lifted the temporary ban on the importation of animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and eased restrictions on the importation of plants, planting materials and plant products from Japan.

In two separate orders, Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala lifted the temporary ban imposed on FMD-susceptible animals, its products and by-products, and the temporary suspension of imports of plants, plant materials and products from Japan.

Following official clearance from the World Animal Health Organization or the Organization Internationale de Epizooties (OIE) that Japan is now FMD-free without vaccination, the Department of Agriculture now allows the importation of FMD-susceptible animals and by-products from Japan.

Likewise, the DA amended an earlier order which originally imposed the temporary suspension of plants and plant materials and products.

According to the DA, in view of the recent updates on the serious nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daichi nuclear power plant which may have affected the radionuclide levels of food, water and the atmosphere, the following plant quarantine measures will be strictly implemented:

• Importation of plants, planting materials and plant products (fruits, vegetables, etc) from all prefectures of Japan, is now allowed provided they have complete plant quarantine documents and in accordance with pertinent provisions of the Philippine Plant Quarantine Law of 1978 and DA Order 18, Series of 2000.

• Importation of such commodities from the prefectures of Fukushima and Ibaraki should have an additional certificate of radiation analysis issued by the competent authority/laboratory at or near the final port of loading in Japan.

• Importation from other areas in Japan is required to have a certificate of origin.

• Monitoring of plants, planting materials and plant products from Japan would be carried out by means of conducting random inspection, examination and detection of hand-carried and checked-in baggage of arriving passengers both at the international airport and seaports using radiation detection instruments.

• Initial radiation screening should not exceed three times the background level at the place of monitoring.

• Commodities with radiation levels above the threshold would be forwarded to the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) for analysis.

• Radiation levels should fall within the standards set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC/GL 5- 1989) “Guidelines Level for Radionuclides in Food Following Accidental Nuclear Contamination for Use in International Trade.”

• All expenses relative to the laboratory analysis, storage and transport during disposal of confiscated and contaminated commodities would be charged to the importer.