Implementing
Rules and Regulations Pursuant to Republic Act
8485 “The Animal Welfare Act”
REPUBLIC
ACT 8485: AN ACT TO PROMOTE ANIMAL WELFARE
IN THE PHILIPPINES OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
“ANIMAL WELFARE ACT OF 1998”
- WHEREAS, Section 3 of Republic
Act 8485, otherwise known as the “Animal
Welfare Act of 1998” hereinafter referred to
as RA 8485, and signed into law on February 11,
1998, mandates: “The Director may call
upon any government agency for assistance
consistent with its powers, duties and
responsibilities for the purpose of ensuring the
effective and efficient implementation of this
Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder;
-
- WHEREAS, Section 5 of RA 8485
further mandates: “There is hereby created a
Committee on Animal Welfare, hereinafter referred
to as The Committee, attached to the Department
of Agriculture, which shall be subjected to the
approval of the Secretary of the Department of
Agriculture, issue the necessary rules and
regulations for the strict implementation of the
provisions of this Act, including the setting of
safety and sanitary standards within Thirty (30)
calendar days following its approval;
-
- WHEREAS, the Secretary of
Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as the
Secretary, crated a Multisectoral, Inter-Office
and Inter-Departmental Committee on Animal
Welfare whose task was to draft the IRR pursuant
to RA 8485. The Committee met often and
worked intensively, submitting several drafts up
to a final version of the IRR and its pertinent
sections. The various versions were
discussed in conferences and hearings with
representatives of all concerned parties and
stakeholders, both private and public.
-
- NOW THEREFORE, these IRR are
hereby issued to guide the Department of
Agriculture, hereinafter referred to as the
Department of Bureau of Animal Industry,
hereinafter referred to the Bureau, and all other
concerned department, offices, agencies and
stakeholders, in the implementation of RA
8485.
-
A.
IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS
- Rule 1. These rules and
regulations shall be referred to as the “The
Implementing Rules and Regulations Pursuant to
Republic Act 8485.”
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- Rule 2. To facilitate the
implementation of Section 1,2,3,4,6,7, and 8 of
RA 8485, several task forces are hereby created
to formulate the various rules and regulations
for the registration, inspection and monitoring
of pet shops, kennels, veterinary clinics,
veterinary hospitals, stockyards, corrals, stud
farms or stock farms, or zoos for the breeding,
animal experimentation, treatment, sale or
trading, training and transport of animals.
-
- The task forces shall be
composed of representatives from the concerned
agencies and organizations. The Committee
shall review the output of the task forces for
recommendation to the Secretary. Upon the
approval by the Secretary of various rules and
regulations, the Task Forces shall cease to
exist. Please refer to Annex A for the
composition of the Task Forces.
-
- Rule 3. The Secretary shall
organize a division in the BAI which shall be
called Animal Welfare Division hereinafter to as
the Division, to implement Sections 1,2,3,4,6,7,
and 8 of RA 8485. The Division shall have
the following powers and functions:
-
- a) Enforce the rules and
regulations formulated by the Committee and
approved by the Secretary to implement RA 8485;
-
- b) Establish an
Inspection and Monitoring System to ensure
effective implementation of RA 8485;
-
- c) Establish and
maintain a database surveillance and management
information system of animal welfare in the
country;
-
- d) Undertake Researches
and surveys to support registration, inspection
and monitoring system;
-
- e) Levy and collect fees
for its registration, inspection and monitoring
system;
-
- f) Deputize personnel
from the regional field units, local government
units and certain veterinary professionals to
assist in the implementation of this Act;
-
- g) Act as Secretariat to
the Committee; and
-
- h) Prepare the Terms of
Reference, Workplan and Budget for approval and
financing by the Secretary;
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- A. EFFECTIVITY
- Rule 4. These IRR shall
take effect seven (7) calendar days after
publication in newspaper of general circulation.
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