1AN ACT REGULATING RABBIT RAISING, TRADING, BUYING,

2SELLING, IMPORTING, AND CULLING IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND

3PROVIDING PENALTIES IN VIOLATION THEROF.
4
5 Explanatory note
6
7 The emerging and re-emerging infections in the livestock commodities, it is
8a must that the State shall cultivate and support the Rabbit Farming in the
9Philippines as a substitute to pork, chicken and other livestock commodity.
10
11 The Department of Agriculture (DA) sees rabbit meat as a potential
12replacement for pork as they are also a good source of protein. It is believed that
13rabbits were brought to the Philippines after World War II to address the food
14scarcity caused by the war. Along the way, many have forgotten this idea and
15considered rabbits as household pets instead.
16
17
18AN ACT REGULATING RABBIT RAISING, TRADING, BUYING,
19SELLING, IMPORTING, AND CULLING IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND
20PROVIDING PENALTIES IN VIOLATION THEROF.
21
22Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
23Congress assembled:
24
25Section 1. Title – This Act shall be known as the “Philippine Rabbit Farming
26Regulation Act.”
27
28Section 2. Declaration of Policies. - It is hereby the declared policy of the State to
29promote the development and competitiveness of the Rabbit farming, particularly
30the small-hold farmers and backyard raisers, in order to increase the supply of
31rabbit meat, improve the domestic supply of breeders as well as feeds and forage,
32promote food safety and quality standards of rabbit meat, and attain greater self-
33sufficiency in food and livestock commodities.
34
35 It is likewise the policy of the State to increase the income of farmers and
36farm workers and to alleviate rural poverty through improved productivity and
37competitiveness, product diversification, job generation, enhanced production
38efficiency and protection of the livestock industry from pests and diseases.
39
40 Towards this end, the State shall nurture an enabling environment, establish
41more responsive government policies and support programs, tighten the regulatory
42functions on food safety and quality standards on livestock produce and processed
43products, and give prime focus to the development of the livestock industry in the
44country.
45
46 The State recognizes the vital role of the private sector as partners in the
47various facets of the livestock industry and shall provide incentives and the needed
48support to encourage these activities and promote livestock farmers organizations.
49
50Section 3. Definition of Terms - As used in this Act, the following terms and 12
51phrases shall mean as follows:
52
53
54Section 4. The Philippine Rabbit Farming Framework – The Bureau of Animal
55industry and National Meat inspection Service, shall, in coordination with the
56Department of Science and Technology (DOST), livestock growers' cooperatives
57and backyard raisers' organizations, animal health care practitioners, local
58government units (LGUs), and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) - which
59shall henceforth comprise the Philippine Rabbit Farming Development Board
60(PRFDB) - formulate a ten-year Framework for Rabbit Farming Development to
61be validated and updated every one years. Such Framework shall serve as guide to
62the formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects for the
63propagation, utilization and development of the Rabbit livestock industry.
64
65The Framework shall provide for the following:
66
67 a) Breeder Availability and Upgrading Programs. - The PRFDB shall endeavor
68 to increase the total population of Rabbit stock in the country in terms of
69 quantity and quality through support programs for genetic improvement and
70 upgrading, establishment of more semen banks, and natural and artificial
71 breeding stations, and animal dispersal programs, as well as accreditation of
72 breeding farms
73
74 b) Pasture crops, animal feeds programs. - The PRFDB shall establish
75 enhanced support for the development of pasture and forage crops, animal
76 feeds resources and inputs, and feeds processing facilities
77
78 c) Animal Health Welfare and Protection. - The PRFDB shall take the lead in
79 the implementation of prevention, control, containment and eradication of
 80 animal pests and diseases by providing veterinary health services, and
81 general livestock health support programs. It shall implement continuing
82 programs on surveillance, quarantine and laboratory service, vaccination,
83 animal movement control, monitoring and management of potential
84 epidemic threats, and public awareness campaigns on livestock safety;
85

86 d) Training and Extension. - In consultation with the ATT, TESDA-Accredited

87 Farm Schools, state universities and colleges (SUCs), LGUs and other
88 relevant institutions, the PRFDB shall provide support to training extension
89 services to small farmers and cooperatives on technologies and good
90 practice in the propagation, utilization, marketing, processing and
91 distribution of livestock, dairy and native animals
92

93 e) Market Promotion Programs. - The PRFDB shall support livestock auction

94 markets, trade fairs, export initiatives, and encourage contract growing
95 arrangements between farmers cooperatives and institutional buyers of
96 livestock produce.
97

98 f) Research and Development. - The PRFDB shall strengthen research

99 collaborations through the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), SUC-based
100 research institutions for technical support in the areas of genetic resource
101 improvement programs, pasture seeds and crops for animal food and product
102 processing that promote the development and competitiveness of the
103 livestock industry.
104

105 g) Food Safety and Quality Assurance. - Consistent with the RA No. 10611
106 (Food Safety Act), the PRFDB shall support the FDA in the enforcement
107 and regulation of food safety and quality standards on livestock produce and
108 livestock by-products. The PLA shall also implement food safety and quality
109 enhancement programs to improve the compliance levels of the livestock
110 sub-sectors to ensure higher levels of competitiveness, and faster growth of
111 the livestock industry.
112

113 h) Food Safety and Quality Assurance. - Consistent with the RA No. 10611
114 (Food Safety Act), the PRFDB shall support the FDA in the enforcement
115 and regulation of food safety and quality standards on livestock produce and
116 livestock by-products. The PRFDB shall also implement food safety and
117 quality enhancement programs to improve the compliance levels of the
118 livestock sub-sectors to ensure higher levels of competitiveness, and faster
119 growth of the livestock industry.
120
121Section 5. Rabbit Breed for Meat Production and Consumption – The following are
122breeds of rabbit eligible for meat production and consumption:
123
124 a. New Zealand Rabbits
125 b. California Rabbits
126 c. American Chinchilla Rabbits
127 d. Champagne D’Argent
128 e. Silver Fox Rabbits
129 f. Satin Rabbits
130 g. Cinnamon Rabbits
131 h. Standard Rex Rabbit
132 i. Palomino Rabbits
133 j. Florida White Rabbits
134 k. And any rabbit of mixed breed from the foregoing.
135
136Section 6. Rabbit Culling – Rabbits are killed by one of two methods. The
137preferred method is dislocation of the neck. The rabbit is held firmly by the rear
138legs and head; it is stretched full length. Then with a hard, sharp pull, the head is
139bent backward to dislocate the neck. The rabbit can also be struck a hard, quick
140blow to the skull behind the ears. A blunt stick or side of the hand is commonly
141used to incapacitate the rabbit. Both methods quickly render the rabbit
142unconscious.
143
144Section 7. Rabbit Importation – In order to facilitate the safe importation and
145introduction of superior genetics from other countries while preventing the
146inadvertent introduction and spread of transboundary animal diseases of rabbits,
147the following are the transitory guidelines for the necessary guidance of all
148concerned:
149
150 A. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICATION OF IMPORTATION OF
151 RABBITS INTO THE PHILIPPINES
152
153 1. Any importer of rabbits must be authorized as a live rabbit importer by
154 BAI National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division (NVQSD].
155
156 The following are the requirements for application as live rabbit
157 importer:
158 a. Letter of Intent addressed to BAI Director
159 b. Mayor’s Business Permit (certified true copy]
160 c. DTI or SEC Registration (certified true copy]
161 d. BIR Tax Identification Number (certified true copy]
162 e. BOC AMO Accreditation (certified true copy)
163 f. Letter of authority for the company's representative
164 g. Notarized Lease of Contract or Proof of Ownership of
165 Farm/Facility
166 h. Certificate of animal facility registration with BAI/DARFO
167 i. Memorandum of Understanding between the importer and owner of
168 the BAI/DARFO registered facility (if applicable).
169
170 2. Rabbit farm, including the livestock transport vehicle, must be
171 accredited under the BAI Animal Health and Welfare Division (AHWD)
172 or DA Regional Field Office (RFO). Proposed quarantine site must
173 likewise be inspected by the BAI Veterinary Quarantine Services (VQS)
174 in the region.
175
176 3. Proposed quarantine site must have sufficient cages, housing ventilation
177 and thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before the arrival of the
178 imported rabbits. There shall also be no other animals other that the
179 rabbits to be imported. Annex A shows the list of parameters to be
180 inspected for a quarantine site.
181

182 4. The veterinary authorities of the exporting countries must have

183 submitted an accomplished questionnaire as written in Annex B.
184

185 5. Only certified rabbit farms and authorized exporters endorsed by the
186 source country shall be accepted.
187

188 6. Upon submission of the accomplished questionnaire to BAI, exporting

189 countries of rabbits shall submit their proposed International Veterinary
190 Certificate (IVC) for evaluation of BAI, following the import terms and
191 conditions set by the BAI. After the agreement of both countries on the
192 IVC, trade can now commence.
193
194 B. IMPORT TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RABBITS
195
196 1. The source country is free from Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease/Viral
197 Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD/VHD), Myxomatosis and Tularemia for the
198 past twelve (12) months.
199 2. The rabbits must be born and bred in the exporting country.
200 3. Rabbits showed no clinical signs of RHD/VHD, Myxomatosis and
201 Tularemia on the day of shipment and are fit to be exported.
202 4. Rabbits were kept in a facility where no case of RHD, Myxomatosis and
203 Tularemia was reported for the past twelve months prior to shipment or
204 since its birth.
205 5. Additional requirements for animals destined for breeding or
206 pharmaceutical or surgical or agricultural or industrial use:
207
208 5.1 were kept in an establishment where no clinical case of RHD/VHD
209 was found upon inspection by an Official Veterinarian immediately
210 prior to shipment;
211 5.2 were kept in an establishment where no animal has been vaccinated
212 against RHD/VHD;
213 5.3 have not been vaccinated against RHD/VHD;
214 5.4 were treated for internal and external parasites within 30 days of
215 exportation.
216
217 6. The rabbits must be at least 60 days of age and not pregnant during the
218 time of travel.
219 7. Identification marks (microchip) must also be embedded to each rabbit.
220 8. The rabbits must have been kept at a government approved pre-export
221 isolation facility or an in-farm isolation facility 30 days before
222 departure. The rabbits must have not been in contact with other rabbits
223 intended for other the countries.
224
225 C. OTHER ZOOSANITARY CONDITIONS
226 1. During transport, no rabbit from another country shall be permitted
227 aboard the vessel or aircraft.
228 2. No feeds other than from the country of origin are taken aboard the ship
229 or aircraft. The feed and fodder used during transport did not originate
230 from areas or establishments that reported the disease listed in Section
231 B.l.
232 3. Should any of the diseases mentioned break out on board the aircraft
233 while the rabbits are in transit, the rabbits shall be disposed of by killing
234 (euthanasia) and burning and burying their carcass in an isolated place
235 to be designated by Veterinary Quarantine Officer (VQO) at the port of
236 entry. No compensation shall be paid for any animal destroyed.
237 Furthermore, all expenses related to the disposal of the rabbits shall be
238 borne by the importer.
239
240 D. SPS IMPORT CLEARANCE APPLICATION PROCEDURES
241 1. Any applicant who intends to import rabbits from foreign countries must
242 apply for SPS Import Clearance through the DA Intercommerce
243 Services (INS) website.
244 • The applicant shall provide the following information during the
245 application of SPS Import Clearance in INS (species, sex, age, breed and
246 number of animals)
247 • Country of Origin
248 • Purpose of Importation
249 • Proposed Quarantine Site
250 • Expected Date of Arrival
251 • Name and Contact Details of Importer
252
253 Other required documents:
254 • Travel Plan (The proposed travel date and route from country of
255 origin must be indicated in the travel plan)
256 • Pro-forma Invoice or Sales Agreement
257 • BAI Certificate of Accreditation as Live Animal Importer
258 • BAI/DARFO Farm Facility Accreditation
259 • BAI/DARFO Livestock Transport Carrier
260 • Certificate of Inspection for Approved Quarantine Site
261 • Notarized Affidavit of Undertaking of Importers ( C]
262 • Notice of Quarantine Release of Previous Importation (if there is
263 any)
264
265 2. The BAI - NVQSD shall review and correlate the submitted documents
266 to the checklist. The standard language for the purpose of this
267 application shall be in English.
268 3. The BAI - NVQSD shall review latest advisories of relevant
269 international bodies (OIE, and other DA recognized bodies) and/or the
270 exporting competent authority on the animal health status, presence or
271 relevant diseases, and other SPS-related risks as part of risk assessment
272 to verify the health status of DA accredited/authorized countries.
273 Applicable importation terms and conditions shall be derived from the
274 result of the risk analysis and shall be subject for compliance of
275 exporting country.
276 4. The request of quarantine site inspection must be coordinated by the
277 applicant to the VQS prior to SPSIC application. A Certificate of
278 Inspection for Approved Quarantine Site shall be issued to the applicant
279 upon due inspection and evaluation of the premises and is submitted as
280 part of SPSIC application requirements.
281 5. Each Certificate of Inspection for Approved Quarantine Site is good for
282 one batch of importation only and should not be used for the succeeding
283 shipments of rabbits.
284 6. The quarantine site must have undergone 30-day downtime to allow
285 thorough cleaning and disinfection before the next batch of importation
286 can be used by another importer.
287 7. In case of amendments in location of quarantine site, the applicant shall
288 file a new request indicating the following:
289 • Reason for change in quarantine site
290 • Commodity
291 • SPS Import Clearance Number
292 • New Quarantine Site Address
293
294 Application may be filed with the nearest BAI RVQS of the new
295 proposed location. The previous Certificate of Inspection of Quarantine
296 Site must be submitted to the regional VQS, together with request letter
297 for the change of quarantine site for a maximum of two (2) weeks prior
298 to arrival. The BAI shall inspect the new proposed quarantine site
299 provided the farm is accredited by BAI/DARFO. The regional VQS will
300 then issue a new Certification of Change of Quarantine Site if the
301 aforementioned requirements are complied. The new proposed
302 quarantine site must also conform to the minimum requirements as
303 mentioned in Section A.3
304 8. The SPSIC process which covers filing of application up to its approval
305 may take up to 7 working days as per NVQSD Anti Red Tape Act
306 Citizens Charter.
307 9. The following items must also be noted in the approved SPS Import
308 Clearance:
309 9.1. The SPS Import Clearance shall be valid for sixty (60) days from
310 its issuance and it indicates the period for which the actual consignment
311 should have left the country of origin. An unused SPS Import Clearance
312 shall be considered automatically expired/cancelled after the must ship
313 out date and the importer must secure a new application of the SPS
314 Import Clearance through the INS website. (Section III.F.5, DA
315 Administrative Order (AO) 9 series of 2010)
316 9.2. The approved SPS Import Clearance shall be good for one
317 shipment and is not transferrable to other persons (Section III.H, DA
318 AO 9 series of 2010)
319 9.3. The name of the importer in the SPS Import Clearance must also
320 be the name written in the IVC issued by the veterinary authorities of
321 the exporting country.
322 9.4. Each importation must follow the ONE SPS Import Clearance,
323 ONE IVC policy which implies that all approved SPS Import Clearance
324 must have a corresponding IVC issued by the veterinary authorities of
325 the exporting country.
326 9.5. The identification details of the rabbits, as written in the IVC,
327 must correspond to all the animals which will arrive in the port of entry.
328
329 E. BORDER CLEARANCE AND PROCESSING OF IMPORTED RABBITS
330
331 1. Upon arrival at the port of entry, the VQO shall examine the
332 accompanying documents of each batch of importation. This shall
333 include the following:
334 • SPS Import Clearance
335 • Original International Veterinary Certificate (electronic export health
336 certificate may be accepted provided an electronic system for
337 verification was provided by the country of origin or its veterinary
338 authority/Manila-based Embassy have endorsed the document)
339 • Airway Bill
340 • Identification details of the rabbits
341 2. If the person arranging the release of the rabbits in its port of entry is the
342 authorized representative of the importer, said person must submit
343 original Special Power of Attorney (see Annex D), with valid ID of the
344 importer and the representative.
345 3. Customs Entry Document of the Bureau of Customs shall be validated
346 after the conduct of inspection by the VQO/Animal Quarantine
347 Inspectors and pertinent documents have been submitted.
348 4. The BAI VQO shall perform physical inspection to evaluate the over-all
349 health condition of the rabbits. Thereafter, the following procedures and
350 requirements shall be complied with accordingly.
351 4.1. That a landing permit shall be issued in the port of entry by the
352 VQO of BAI
353 4.2. That a Notice of Quarantine for a minimum of 60 days from the
354 date of their arrival shall also be issued by the VQO at the port of
355 entry
356 4.3. That the rabbits shall be unloaded to an accredited Livestock
357 Transport Carrier and transported immediately to the declared
358 quarantine site in the approved SPS Import Clearance
359 4.4. That the VQOs shall underguard the transfer of rabbits from the
360 port of entry to its declared quarantine site in the SPSIC. Proper
361 coordination must be conducted by the importer to the VQS 7-14
362 days prior to the arrival of the animals. All the needed logistics,
363 such as but not limited to transportation of VQOs, shall be borne
364 by the importer.
365 4.5. For rabbits which will need inter-island transshipment from the
366 initial port of entry (e.g. Manila/Clark to Visayas/Mindanao), the
367 movement may be allowed provided all necessary documentary
368 requirements such as SPS Import Clearance, original IVC, Airway
369 Bill, Notice of Quarantine, Landing Permit shall also be presented
370 at the final port of entry. The VQO on its final destination will
371 still underguard the transfer of animals to the declared quarantine
372 site.
373 5. The rabbits shall not be removed from the declared quarantine site while
374 undergoing the quarantine period;
375
376 6. The following fees shall be made payable to the BAI for the following:
377 6.1. Issuance of Import permit 6.2. Inspection and Issuance of Notice of
378 Arrival at the port of entry
379

380 F. CONFISCATION AND DISPOSITION.

381 1. All rabbits that are refused entry by BAI VQO and Inspectors for any
382 non-compliance or violation of this Circular shall be confiscated and
383 disposed of following the procedures prescribed under Section VII of
384 DA-AO No. 09, series of 2010.
385 2. Lack of valid SPS Import Clearance
386 3. Lack of valid IVC from the country of origin
387 4. Animal was delivered to unaccredited quarantine area
388 5. Animal exhibiting symptoms of infectious rabbit diseases upon arrival
389
390
391Section 8. Rabbit Importation Quarantine.
392
393 1. During the quarantine period, the rabbits shall be subjected to periodic
394inspection of the regional VQO to evaluate the health status of the rabbits in the
395facility. Veterinary drugs, such as but not limited to anti-parasitic drugs,
396antimicrobial treatment and vitamin supplementation, can be administered when
397necessary. Switching and unauthorized removal of rabbits from the quarantine site
398is strictly prohibited.
399
400 2. On the second week of quarantine period, blood samples will be collected
401by the VQO from thirty (30) rabbits for serological testing for RHD/VHD. If blood
402sample/s will be tested positive, the rabbit will be immediately disposed under the
403supervision of the VQO. Another set of blood samples will be collected from
404remaining rabbits in the batch.
405
406 3. Should there be any mortalities in the imported rabbits during the
407quarantine period, the importer must immediately report to VQO and submit a
408documentation of its proper disposal within the farm.
409
410 4. Rabbits which are found to have signs of any infectious diseases shall be
411disposed immediately to avoid the further spread of the disease.
412
413 5. In case of disease outbreak, importer shall be liable for all susceptible
414animals affected outside the quarantine area.
415
416 6. Upon completion of the minimum of 60-day quarantine period, the
417animals shall be issued with a Certificate of Release of Quarantine by the regional
418VQO.
419
420 7. The regional VQO shall issue a Certificate of Quarantine Release within
42124 hours after the end of quarantine period. Local movement of the animals shall
422not be allowed unless accompanied with local shipping permit. VHC will be issued
423by the VQO in the shipment of rabbits.
424
425
426Section 9. Selling of Rabbit – A breeder who shall sell any Pure Breed of rabbit
427shall present the pedigree and the Animal Identification to the buyer. The seller
428shall give the buyer a pedigree and Animal Identification.
429
430Section 11. Registration of Small / Backyard Rabbit Farming. Small-scale or
431Backyard farming shall consist of not more than 500 Rabbit heads. The owner
432shall register it in the Local Agriculture Office. The following are the requirements
433for registration:
434
435 1. Name of the Farm
436 2. Barangay Clearance
437 3. Barangay Business Permit
438 4. Tax Identification Number
439 5. Number of Doe
440 6. Number of Buck
441 7. Number of Pure Breed
442 8. Number of Kits
443
444Section 12. Registration of Medium Scale Rabbit Farming. Medium Scale Rabbit
445farm shall consist of not more than 5000 heads but not less than 500 heads. The
446owner shall register it in the Local Agriculture Office. The following are the
447requirements for registration:
448
449 1. Name of the Farm
450 2. Barangay Clearance
451 3. Barangay Business Permit
452 4. Mayor’s Permit to Operate
453 5. BAI Certificate
454 6. BAI/DARFO Farm Facility Accreditation
455 7. Tax Identification Number
456 8. Number of Doe
457 9. Number of Buck
458 10.Number of Pure Breed
459 11.Number of Kits
460
461
462Section 13. Registration of Large-Scale Rabbit Farming – Large-scale farming
463shall consist of 10000 and more heads but not less than 5000 heads. The owner
464shall register it in the Local Agriculture Office. The following are the requirements
465for registration:
466
467 1. Name of the Farm
468 2. Barangay Clearance
469 3. Barangay Business Permit
470 4. Mayor’s Permit to Operate
471 5. BAI Certificate
472 6. Tax Identification Number
473 7. BAI/DARFO Farm Facility Accreditation
474 8. Number of Doe
475 9. Number of Buck
476 10.Number of Pure Breed
477 11.Number of Kits
478
479Section 14. Inspection of Farm – It shall be the duty of the Local Agriculture
480Office to inspect the cleanliness and safety of the premises and the animals.
481
482Section 15. Breed Classification.
483
484 1. X Pure bred to X Pure = Pure
485 2. X Pure bred to Y Pure = F1 Hybrid
486 3. F1 bred to X/Y Pure = F2 Hybrid
487 4. F2 bred to X/Y Pure = F3 Hybrid
488 5. F3 bred to X/Y Pure = F4 Hybrid
489 6. Pure bred to undetermined breed but not pure = Mix Breed –
490 7. Pure bred to Mix breed – = Upgraded +
491 8. Upgraded + bred to Pure = Upgraded ++
492 9. Upgraded ++ bred to Pure = Upgraded +++
493 10.Upgraded +++ bred to Pure = Upgraded ++++
494
495Section 19. Prohibition.
496
497 A. On importation of Rabbit.
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505