In order to facilitate a harmonized processing of applications to resume exports of fishery and meat products to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the Department of Agriculture (DA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has set the deadline for submission of the Letter of Intent and Self-Audit Forms on 31 January 2024. Philippine exporters are required to submit the necessary requirements to the Bureau of Fishery and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) for fishery products and to FDA for processed meat and meat products.

After the assessment of duly submitted forms, a joint inspection of the fishery and meat establishments will be conducted by FDA and the applicable DA office/s: BFAR or the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) or Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) to verify the physical existence and compliance to hygiene and sanitation requirements, as declared in the accomplished Self-Audit Forms. Accomplished forms of the establishments will be consolidated and endorsed to SFDA by first quarter of 2024.

SFDA will assess the submitted documents and will issue an invoice addressed to the establishment for the payment of 27,000 SAR inspection fee for those who have a good chance of approval.

For further questions and clarifications, you may contact the BFAR at fiqd@bfar.da.gov.ph and the FDA at cfrr@fda.gov.ph or EMB Market and Product Officers at mid@dti.gov.ph and famd@dti.gov.ph, respectively. ♦

Date of release: 23 January 2024

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