In his report to Agriculture Secretary Proceso J. Alcala, Director Efren C. Nuestro of the DA’s Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) said the law’s implementing rules and regulations, subject to the approval of the DA Secretary, was prepared by the DA Committee on Animal Welfare (DA-CAW), which conducted exhaustive consultations with stakeholders in several public hearings.

The committee is composed of representatives from six government agencies, six professional organizations or associations, and two animal societies.

He said the DA issued an Administrative Order (AO), particularly DA-AO No. 13, Series of 2010, on the “Revised Rules and Regulations on the Euthanasia of Animals.” It states that the person performing euthanasia should have the technical competence to administer it. And the preferred method shall always be by injection. Further, the AO states that euthanasia and slaughter shall always be done away from public view.

Nuestro said the killing of the animals shall be done through humane procedures at all times, using the most scientific methods available as may be determined and approved by the DA-CAW. Only those procedures approved by the committee shall be used in the killing of animals.

He said the DA-AO No. 13 was signed and approved by the majority of the DA-CAW members, including the Philippine Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

He said the DA-AO No. 13 recommends the preferential use of injectable barbiturates, but provides other options for the implementers at Local Government Units (LGUs) to dispose of impounded stray dogs. Barbiturates are regulated drugs, and thus are given only to competent authorities or personnel, Nuestro said.

Source: http://www.da.gov.ph/newindex2.php?pass=News_events/2010/aug/aug05_2010c.html

(Edited by Jose Rey Alo - original submission Friday, 6 August 2010, 03:11 PM)