Section 16Sec./Art. 16

Specific Responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture. The DA shall be responsible for the development and enforcement of food safety standards and regulations for foods in the primary production and post harvest stages of the food supply chain. It shall monitor and ensure that the relevant requirements of the law are complied with by farmers, fisherfolk and food business operators. Pursuant thereto, the DA Secretary shall ensure that the food safety regulatory mandates and functions for fresh plant, animal, fisheries and aquaculture foods of the DA agencies are clearly defined. The agencies under the DA with food safety regulatory functions are the following:

(a) The Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), for food derived from animals including eggs and honey production;

(b) The National Dairy Authority (NDA), for milk production and post harvest handling;

(c) The National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS), for meats;

(d) The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), for fresh fish and other seafoods including those grown by aquaculture;

(e) The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI), for plant foods;

(f) The Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), for pesticides and fertilizers used in the production of plant and animal food;

(g) The Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), for fresh coconut;

(h) The Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), for sugar cane production and marketing; and

(i) The National Food Authority (NFA), for rice, corn and other grains.1wphi1

The Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS) shall develop food safety standards including those for organic agriculture. The BAFPS shall establish the mechanism for the development of science-based food safety standards for fresh plant, animal, fisheries and aquaculture foods and shall use the services of experts from the FSRA, other government agencies, academe and private sector.

The Food Development Center (FDC) of the NFA shall provide scientific support in testing, research and training.

When necessary and when funds allow, the appropriate food safety units shall be created within the above stated agencies. To strengthen these organizations, they shall be provided with the necessary personnel out of the existing manpower of the DA.

Finally, the DA shall, in coordination with other government agencies, monitor the presence of contaminants in foods of plant, animal and fishery origin and shall formulate and implement measures to address incidents of food contamination.