. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/PHL/49
15 October 2003
(03-5456)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   PHILIPPINES
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:   Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic  Resources (BFAR), Department of
Agriculture (DA)
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where
applicable):  Live fish and fishery/aquatic product s, aquatic microorganisms, biomolecules
including GMOs and endangered species
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  All
countries
5. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:   Fisheries Administrative
Order (FAO) no. 221, series of 2003, "Further re gulating the importation of live fish and
fishery/aquatic products under FAO no. 134, seri es of 1981, to include microorganisms and
biomolecules".
6. Description of content:   The Department of Agriculture requires a valid license or permit
issued by the BFAR Director  upon importation to the Philippines of live fish and fishery
products, aquatic microorganisms and biom olecules.  Importation requirements and
procedures for said products based on risk categories contained in the regulation, which
conform with international agreements  for aquatic environmental protection.
7. Objective and rationale:  [ X ] food safety, [   ] animal health, [   ] plant protection,
[ X ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease,  [ X ]  protect territory from
other damage from pests
8. International standard, gu ideline or recommendation:
[   ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [ X ] Office International des Epizooties,
[   ] International Plant Prot ection Convention, [   ] None
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Available in English
10. Proposed date of adoption:   6 March 2003
11. Proposed date of entry into force:   4 April 2003G/SPS/N/PHL/49
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12. Final date for comments:
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [   ] National notification
authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:
13. Texts available from:  [   ] National notification authority, [ X ] National enquiry point,
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
Philippine National SPS Enquiry Point
Office of the Director
Policy Research Service
Department of Agriuclture
3rd Floor, DA Building, Elliptical Road
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: (632) 926 7439
Fax: (632) 928 0590
E-mail: epad.polreser@eudoramail.com