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Implementing rules on New Meat Code in effect

A year after Republic Act 9206 or the Meat Inspection Code of the Philippines was signed into law, its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) are put into effect with Administrative Order No. 28, signed by Agriculture Secretary Domingo F. Panganiban.

The IRR is expected to put in place a clear-cut policy on the control and supervision of meat inspection in all meat establishments engaged in domestic and international meat trade.

The IRR clearly states important provisions on the country’s policies on safety and quality standards of meat and meat products.  Likewise, the roles of agencies especially the local government units involved in the implementation of the law are also defined.

The IRR was studied and scrutinized by all sectors involved in the meat industry, for the past year that the draft was prepared.

The DA said that the IRR has paved the way for the meat industry to finally reach its full potentials in the domestic and international markets.

R.A. 9296 provides a concrete and tangible meat inspection system that is required to surmount the challenges faced by the meat and poultry industry in the country.  The law strengthens and reinforces the existing programs and policies of the National Meat Inspection related to the production and handling of safe and quality meat. 

This will ensure that consumers are protected from health hazards and risks when eating meat and meat products. 

The law also responds to the needs of the meat industry as the latter is expected to develop and grow into a progressive industry consequently enhancing the competitiveness of Philippine meat products. 

(PIA 6)