G/SPS/N/PHL/373  
 
21 June 2017  
(17-3300) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member: PHILIPPINES  
If applicable, name of local government involved:  
2. Agency responsible: Department of Agriculture (DA), Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item n umber(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Plant and plant products  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All tradi ng partners  
[ ] Specific regions or countries:  
5. Title of the notified document: Department of Science and Technology (DOST) - 
Department of Agriculture (DA) - Department of Environment and Natural Resources 
(DENR) - Department of Interior and Local Go vernment (DILG)  Joint Department 
Circular  No. 1, series of 2016: Rules and Regulations for the Research and Development, 
Handling and Use, Transboundary Movement, Release into the Environment,  and 
Management of Genetically -Modified Plant and Plant Products  Derived from the Use of 
Modern Biotechnology.  Language(s): English . Number of pages: 37 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/PHL/17_2782_00_e.pdf  
6. Description of content: This Joint Department Circul ar shall apply to the research, 
development, handling and use, transboun dary movement, release into the 
environment, and management of genetically -modified plant and plant products derived 
from the use o f modern biotechnology, included under "regulated articles ". 
7. Objective and rationale: [X]  food safety, [  ] animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.  
8. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :  
 CAC/GL 44 -2003 
 CAC/GL 45 -2003 
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
[X] Yes   [  ] No G/SPS/N/PHL/373  
 
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  If no, describe, w henever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:  
9. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:   
10. Proposed date of adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 14 April 2016  
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) : 30 Ma rch 2016  
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [  ] Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : 14 April 2016  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure  
12. Final date for comments: [  ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : Not applicable  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
Office of the Director  
Policy Research Serv ice 
Department of Agriculture  
Elliptical Road, Diliman  
Quezon City  
Tel: +(632) 926 7439  
Fax: +(632) 928 0590  
E-mail: spspilipinas@da.gov.ph  
 
or 
 
National Plant Quarantine Services  
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)  
San Andres Street, Malate, Manila, Philippine s 
Tel: +(632) 524 3749  
Fax: +(632) 404 0409  
E-mail: pqsbpi@yahoo.com  
13. Text(s)  available from: [X]  National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
Office of the Director  
Policy Research Service  
Department of Agriculture  
Elliptical Road, Diliman  
Quezon City  
Tel: +(632) 926 7439  
Fax: +(632) 928 0590  
E-mail: spspilipinas@da.gov.ph  
 
or 
 
National Plant Quarantine Services  
Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI)  
San Andres Street, Malate , Manila, Philippines  
Tel: +(632) 524 3749  
Fax: +(632) 404 0409  
E-mail: pqsbpi@yahoo.com