BACOLOD City – All animal establishments in the city are urged to followthe Department of Agriculture’s (DA) Administrative Order No. 18 series of 2008.
The order specifies the rules and regulations on humane handling of animals for food during their slaughter.
Councilor Bartolome Orola authored a resolution reminding animal establishment owners of these rules, adding that improper handling of animals “could have adverse effects on the quality of meat.”
The resolution is addressed to slaughterhouses, poultry dressing plants, stockyards, and animal holding areas where food animals are usually slaughtered.
The resolution cited Section 8 of the administrative order, which states that “[n]o person, firm or corporation either by himself or during the process of handling or conduct of food animals shall use sharp or pointed instruments such as but not limited to blade or knife, to mark livestock for the purpose of identification.”
Forcibly administering water and/or other fluid orally to food animals, among others, is also prohibited.
Orola also cited Republic Act (RA) 8485, or The Animal Welfare Act of 1998, which was amended by RA 10631, stating that “the killing of animals shall be done through humane procedures at all times, which shall mean the use of the most scientific methods available as maybe determined and approved by DA-Committee on Animal Welfare.”/PN
