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THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
SENATE 
S. B. No. 
1960 
Introduced by SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
Goveriuneiit is mandated under the Co:nstitution to ensure the quality of 
life of all Filipinos iiicluding quality living. Tlus includes the prevention of 
fraudulent and unfair acts involving sale of meat products in the couiitry. 
, 
This legislative measure therefore aims to ensure that fraudulent and 
unfair practices are prevented through the proper labeling of meat products that 
are being sold in the open market. 
In view of the foregoing, immediate passage of this measure is earnestly 
sought. 
Senator 


. 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S. No. - 
1960 
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
AN ACT 
INSTITUTING THE LABELING OF IMPORTED MEAT AND MEAT FOOD 
PRODUCTS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. Short Title This Act shall be known as “ The Meat Labeling Act 
of 2005.” 
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. 
It is hereby declared the policy of the 
State to protect the interest of the general public against deceptive,/unfair, and fraudulent 
sales acts and practices, and to implement measures to insure a safe supply of imported 
meat and meat food products in the country. 
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. 
“Secretary” refers to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture@A); 
“Country of Origin” refers to the country or countries in which an animal is raised 
before slaughter; 
“Label” refers to display of written, printed or graphic matter affixed to any 
imported meat or meat products, its immediate container, or other suitable 
material afiixed for the purpose of giving information as to identify its country of 
origin; 
“Beef’ refers to meat produced from cattle (including veal); 
“Pork” refers to meat produced from hogs; 
For purpose of this Act, the term: 


. 
6. 
7. 
“Lamb” refers to meat, other than mutton, produced from sheep; 
“Imported beef’ refers to beef that is not Philippine beef, whether or not the beef 
is graded with a quality grade issued by the Secretary; 
“Imported pork” refers to pork that is not Philippine Pork; 
“Imported lamb” refers to lamb that is not Philippine lamb, whether or not the 
lamb is graded with a quality grade issued by the Secretary; 
“Philippine Beef‘ refers to beef produced from cattle slaughtered in the 
Philippines; 
“Philippine Pork” refers to pork produced from hogs slaughtered in the 
Philippines; 
“Philippine lamb” refers to lamb produce from ship slaughtered in the Philippines. 
8. 
9. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
SECTION 4. Labeling of imported meat and meat foodproducts .- 
a. 
Labeling is required in the following: 
1. 
Imported meat and meat food product into the Philippines 
shall bear or shaIl be accompanied by labeling that 
identifies the country of origin of the animal that is the 
source of the imported carcass, part thereof, or meat is part 
of the contents of the imported meat food product; and 
Imported meat food product prepared in the Philippines 
2. 
using any carcass, part thereof, or meat imported into the 
i 
Philippines shall bear or shall be accompanied by labeling 
that identifies the country of origin of the animal that is the 
source of the imported carcass, part thereof or meat. 
b. 
Mandatory Labeling - The Secretary shall provide by rules and regulation 
that the following offered for retail sale bear a label that identifies its 
country of origin: 
1. 
Muscle cuts of Philippine beef, Philippine pork, Philippine 
lamb, imported beef, imported lamb and imported pork. 
Ground beef, ground lamb, and ground pork; and 
2. 
c. 
Audit Verification System for Philippine and Imported Muscle Cuts of 
Beef, Lamb, and Ground Beef, Lamb, and Pork - The Secretary may 
require by regulation that any person that prepares, stores, handles, or 
distributes muscle cuts of Philippine beef, imported beef, Philippine lamb, 
imported lamb, Philippine pork, imported pork, ground beef, ground lamb, 
or ground pork for retail sale maintain a verifiable record keeping audit 
trail that will permit the SecretaIy to ensure compliance with regulations 
promulgated under subsection (a). 


. -  
SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
The Secretary shall 
promulgate the implementing rules and regulations to cany out the provisions of this Act. 
Not later than six (6) months after the date of effectivity of this Act. 
SECTION 6. PenaZties. 
Any person found to violate any provision of this Act 
shall upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than ten thousand pesos 
(Pl0,OOO.OO) but not more than fifty thousand pesos (P50,OOO.OO) or imprisonment o f  not 
less than six (6) months but not more than two (2) years, or both upon the discretion of 
the court. If the offender is an alien, he shall be deported after service of sentence and 
payment of fine krther deportation proceedings. 
SECTION 7. Separability Clause. 
If any provision , or part hereof, is held 
invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision shall remain valid 
and subsisting. 
SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. 
Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or regulation contrary to 
or inconsistent with, the provision of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended 
accordingly. 
SECTION 9. Effectivity Clause 
This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days 
after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation, 
. 
Approved,