IMPORT LICENSING SYSTEM OF THE PHILIPPINES

REPLIES BY THE PHILIPPINES to the FOLLOW-UP questions from the UNITED STATES REGARDING SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY IMPORT CLEARANCE (spsic) REGIME^[1]

The following submission, dated 7 April 2022, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of the Philippines.

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The Philippines acknowledges the follow-up questions from the United States regarding the Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) regime as outlined in G/LIC/Q/PHL/5 and responds as follows:

The review and approval of SPSICs have been delegated to the Bureau of Animal Industry, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Bureau of Plant Industry.

A "one SPSIC, one shipment" policy was adopted as this is administratively manageable in verifying compliance with SPS requirements, as well as in responding to emergency cases such as outbreaks of transboundary animal diseases or plant pests in the country of origin.

On fish products, only authorized importers of fish products are qualified to apply for SPSICs. The importers have to file an application, and such shall undergo the clearance process which would determine the legitimacy of the activity and compliance on risk management protocols, including adequate cold chain facilities, to ensure safety, as prescribed under Section III of the DA Administrative Order No. 9, series of 2010.

The limitation on the validity period of SPSICs is based on risk involved. High-risk commodities, such as those categorized as level 3 and 4 under ISPM 32, are imposed with shorter duration validity period.

Administrative Order No. 21, series of 2021 which temporarily extended the validity of SPSICs for imported meat from 60 to 90 days was issued in August 2021. This is to address the logistical constraints being faced by meat traders. Several meat importers were impeded by the shortage of container vans in light of the global COVID situation. The said measure as well as DA Administrative Order No. 22, series of 2021 expired on 31 December 2021.

On the purpose of requiring the utilization and good standing certificates, this is to guarantee that the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) guidelines in deactivating foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus are properly complied with. This requirement is specific to the importation of meat intended for re-export and Indian Buffalo Meat (IBM) for processing in order to protect the country from the entry and spread of FMD virus and maintain its FMD-free status.^[2]

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