DA Tightening Rules On Beef Importation
PHILIPPINES - Following the outbreak of hog cholera in Bulacan and Pampanga, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is also tightening the importation of beef from the United States and Canada to prevent the outbreak of mad cow disease.Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap has issued new guidelines on the continued importation of beef from the US and Canada subject to certain conditions, namely:
- Only boneless beef can be sourced from cattle under 30 months;
- Beef, whether boneless or bone-in, should be devoid of Specified Risk Materials;
- Whether boneless or bone-in, the beef should come only from healthy ambulatory and not downed cattle;
- The US Department of Agriculture or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency should certify the age of the slaughtered cattle; and
- The production date or slaughter date of the beef should be included in the packaging label.
Source: Philippine Star