PHILIPPINE NATIONAL

STANDARD

Code of good animal

husbandry practices (GAHP)
PNS/BAFPS 60:2008
 Contents

1 2 3 4
Scope Objective Definitions Farm Minimum
Operators Requirements:
and Workers Farm Location

2 Code of GAHP 20XX

 Contents

5 6 7 8
Farm Location Animal Farm
Environmental
Housing and Management
Management
Facilities

3 Code of GAHP 20XX

Scope
This Code sets out the general principles
of good practice and minimum
requirements in the commercial or
backyard rearing/farming of animals for
food use.

4
Objective
For the final products to be safe
and fit for human consumption
without degrading the environment.

5
 animal
Definitions refers to ruminant and non-ruminant
livestock conventionally raised or reared
for food and non-food purposes

abnormal behavior
any changes developed as a response to
poor or wrong management practice
causing stress to the animals.

authorized
that which has been permitted by the
competent authority
 competent authority
an entity/agency who has the knowledge,
expertise and authority as designated
by law

dam
Female animal used for breeding

establishment
given due permission, a firm authorized to
operate
 farm owner/operator
legal or juridical entity who is responsible for
the management and general operation of the
farm.

farm worker
personnel responsible for the rearing of
animals

gait
way of walking or pace of the animals
ration
daily feed/diet of the animals vehicle
any means of transporting animals,
including but not limited to trucks, tractors,
trailers, trains, ferries, ships and aircrafts
rearing
the act of raising of animals
weaning
a process of complete withdrawal of milk
feeding or from the dam as soon as a
sire young animal reaches a specific age and
body condition or physical maturity
male animal used for breeding
Minimum Requirements: Farm Operators and
Workers General skills and responsibilities
The farm operator/worker should:
• possessed necessary knowledge and skills
• responsible for the welfare of the animals
• be fully equipped with suitable protection gears
• always promote a safe and healthy working condition in
the farm
The farm owner/operator should:
• ensure that all farm operators and workers undergo
annual routine health check up
• Appropriate working uniform and footwear
should be provided to farm operators or
visitors
Minimum Requirements: Farm Operators and
Workers Legal responsibilities
• Farm owner should conform to existing
animal farming legislation
• Farm operator should report immediately
or within 24 hours to relevant authorities
any incidence of abnormal behavioral
changes, health conditions and mortalities
• Farm operator should report to relevant
authorities any accident in the farm
• Farm worker should be insured against
accidents in conducting his/her work
Minimum Requirements: Farm Operators and
Workers Cruelty and neglect
 Farm operator should not cause cruelty
to animals, in accordance with the Animal
Welfare Act (RA 8485).
• maltreatment of animals
• neglect of animals
• failure to provide adequate resources
• Removal of any part of anatomy without adequate
anesthesia (whenever applicable)
• Euthanasia, confine, handle or transport any
animal causing pain, suffering or distress
• Keeping an animal alive, especially that it is
pronounced physically or physiologically
incapacitated
Minimum Requirements: Farm Location
Site selection
The farm should:
• be located within the approved land use
plan of the local government and comply
with DENR regulations
• have a continuous supply of adequate
electrical power, portable water and good
access road
• not near bodies of water
• not be prone to flooding
• be accessible to major facilities of
production
Minimum Requirements: Farm Location
Site history
Available data from relevant government
agencies on prior land use should be
used to confirm that the site is free from
physical, chemical, and microbiological
hazards.
If such data is unavailable, the soil
should be analyzed for heavy metal
contamination and other hazards to
assess land suitability for agricultural
use.
Minimum Requirements: Animal housing and
facilities Housing
• The premises should be kept clean at all
times.
• The farm should have appropriate design,
infrastructure, facilities, equipment, and
tools.
• Farm buildings should be constructed
suitably for their intended purpose.
• Animal housing should be designed in a
way that minimize adverse effects on
performance and eliminate hazards.
Minimum Requirements: Animal housing and
facilities Housing
• Painting materials used for the buildings and
facilities should not be hazardous to animals
• The building should be designed and
constructed using materials that:
o Not cause any injury or impart hazard
o Provide comfort
o Easy to clean and disinfect
o Easy to replace when damaged
o Create efficient stock management
o Enhance bio-security
• The building should have an effective drainage
system
Minimum Requirements: Animal housing and
facilities Housing
• Animals should be provided with sufficient floor
space/size to ensure comfort
• Animals should be provided with appropriate space
to feed and drink comfortably
• Floors and pathways should be made from non-
slippery materials, safe, stable and well-lighted
• Gates or doorways should allow free passage for
entrance and exit
• Building should have adequate lighting
Minimum Requirements: Animal housing and
facilities Housing

• Electrical installations and wirings should

be protected
• House and pens must be constructed
that would prevent animals to escape
• House design should have proper
ventilation
• The farm should provide effective and
appropriate facilities
Minimum Requirements: Animal housing and
facilities Housing
• The design of alleys and chutes should allow
effective management of the animals
• The feeding and drinking equipment should
be properly designed
• The location and design of feeding and
drinking facilities should help prevent
contamination
• The feeding and drinking facilities should
conform with the standards/requirements for
each species
Minimum Requirements: Animal housing and
facilities Facilities
Fencing
• Fence should be effectively designed to prevent entry
of stray animals
• If electric fence is used, it should be operated as per
manufacturer’s instructions
Holding Yard
• Sufficient pens and floor space should be provided
• Pen floors should be flat, broom-finished and well-
drained
• Holding yard should be constructed in a way that
protects animals from adverse weather conditions
• Holding yard should have proper facilities for animals
to feed and drink
Minimum Requirements: Animal housing and
facilities Facilities
Storage facilities
• There must be a proper storage of all feed materials
• Feed storage should be kept clean at all times
• Feed storage should have adequate ventilation,
moisture protection and vermin-proof
• “first in-first out” rule should be practiced
Breeding facilities
• It should be properly designed to provide the animals
a comfortable and conducive environment for
reproduction
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Breeding, reproduction and weaning
• Animal breeding should take place when
they have shown sexual maturity
• The farm should practice natural mating
and/or assisted (artificial) breeding
techniques for the animals.
• In natural mating, appropriate ratio of male
to female animals should be practiced.
• Only duly trained personnel or professional
should perform assisted breeding
techniques on the animals
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Breeding, reproduction and weaning
• Weaning should be conducted with minimal
stress for both the dam and young.
• Young should be weaned only at the
recommended body weight and age.
• Basic facilities should be provided for newly
weaned animals.
• Individual breeding animals should be identified
and their reproductive performances recorded.
• Breeding programs and activities should be
properly recorded, maintained, monitored, and
evaluated.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Animal sourcing, identification and
traceability
• Animal identification and records must be
properly maintained.
• Large ruminants must be identified at suitable
body parts and registered with local
authorities.
• Imported animals require documentation by
the establishment.
• Farm operators must log all animal
movements and veterinary protocols as
required by authorities.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Feeds and nutrition
The farm operator should:
• Ensure animals receive optimal nutrition for their
functions and well-being.
• Avoid banned chemicals, feed additives, and
medications in animal diets.
• Follow medication instructions, especially the
withdrawal period before marketing.
• Provide rations suitable for specific animal species.
• Use commercial feed registered with the Animal
Feeds Standardization Division (AFSD).
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Feeds and nutrition
The farm operator should:
• Use ingredients from certified suppliers for farm-
mixed feed and keep purchase records.
• Offer adequate, safe, and clean feed.
• Ensure continuous access to clean and safe
water.
• Maintain cleanliness of feed mixing equipment
and follow a preventive maintenance schedule.
• Establish a daily feeding routine
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Feeds and nutrition
• Procurement documents for feed should
include:
o Supplier/source details with registration number
o Type of feed and supplements
o Quantity
o Declaration of ingredients
o Feed analysis document
o Date of delivery
o Date of manufacturing and batch number
• The farm operator should record the type and
quantity of animal feed
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Animal Health (Veterinary Medicine)
• The farm operator should maintain animal health
through proper management practices.
• Animal healthcare must be supervised by a licensed
veterinarian, with a PRC-registered agriculturist
involved.
• Regular monitoring and recording of animal disease
status is required
• Annual veterinary assessments must be conducted by a
licensed veterinarian and/or competent authority.
• The effectiveness of the animal health program should
be regularly monitored and recorded
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Animal Health (Veterinary Medicine)

• A written vaccination and deworming program is

required.
• The vaccination program must comply with
requirements set by competent authorities.
• Only use BAI-accredited vaccines and controlled
drugs.
• Properly store, handle, and dispose of vaccines and
vials.
• Administer vaccinations, medications, and treatments
under veterinary supervision.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Animal Health (Veterinary Medicine)

• Use drugs only for prophylactic and treatment

purposes.
• Prohibit the use of illegal and banned medications.
• Store drugs safely to prevent environmental
contamination.
• Keep drugs separate from other animal items.
• Strictly administer controlled drugs under veterinary
supervision.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Animal Health (Veterinary Medicine)

• Dispense drugs as recommended by the veterinarian.

• Notify veterinary authorities of disease outbreaks or
abnormal mortality/morbidity within 24 hours.
• Maintain up-to-date, easily retrievable records of farm
operations and management routines.
• Keep complete, updated records of animal health
programs, disease monitoring, control, and
medication, easily accessible.
• Maintain updated records of medicine purchase and
administration, readily available for inspection.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Handling and Restraining of Animals

• Handle and restrain animals that prevent fear,

stress, pain, and injury.
• Provide appropriate facilities, equipment, and tools
for handling animals.
• Use suitable tools for effective animal
management, ensuring operators are skilled.
• Use tools to minimize stress and avoid injuring
animals.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Handling and Restraining of Animals

• Ensure tools are functional for efficient use by

operators.
• Separate sick, injured, or disabled animals for
necessary veterinary care.
• Apply proper techniques for handling and
restraining animals.
• Do not use sticks, canes, or electric probes to
restrain animals, except for worker safety with
larger or aggressive animals.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Transportation

• Transport animals without causing stress, injury or

disease.
• Use appropriate vehicles that provide comfort
throughout travel.
• Ensure adequate space and ventilation during
transportation.
• The transporter is responsible for animal welfare
and vehicle cleanliness, disposing of waste in an
eco-friendly manner.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Transportation

• Transport animals via the most direct, appropriate

route without unnecessary delays.
• For long journeys, transport at the coolest time,
with additional measures to ensure animal welfare.
• Obtain required movement permits and health
certificates conforming to veterinary protocols.
• Transport only healthy animals, with extra
precautions for stressed, sick or pregnant animals.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Transportation

• Vehicles for transporting animals should:

- Allow easy loading and unloading.
- Include communication equipment and a first aid kit.
- Ensure safety for animals and personnel.
- Be clean and sanitized.
- Have floors that provide secure footing.
- Feature proper drainage for urine collection.
- Display a "live animal on board" decal/label on the sides
and front/back.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Transportation

• There must be a segregation of animals by

species, size, sex, and age where appropriate.
• Rest animals destined for slaughter for 6 to 12
hours upon arrival at the slaughterhouse.
• Transport animals during the coolest part of the
day.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Bio-security measures
• There must be an implementation of biosecurity
procedures to prevent disease introduction and
control its spread on the farm.
• A maintained written protocol for biosecurity
measures with proper warning signage.
• Continuously monitoring of biosecurity measures to
assess program effectiveness.
• Ensure the farm has an appropriate layout and
infrastructure for effective biosecurity
implementation.
• Ensure all “brought-in” animals undergo
appropriate quarantine measures and treatment.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Farm sanitation program

• Farm premises should be kept clean to prevent

pests, parasites, and disease outbreaks.
• Organic materials should be regularly removed
from livestock contact surfaces and change or top
up bedding.
• A proper and functional drainage system must be
ensured on the farm.
• Proper handling and disposal system must be
implemented for sick, injured, and dead animals.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Environmental Management

The farm operator should:

• Ensure livestock farming activities do not degrade
the environment or harm biodiversity.
• Manage and dispose of solid and liquid waste
according to the Ecological Solid Waste
Management Act of 2000.
• Properly bury dead animals.
• Manage vermin and pest control effectively.
• Maintain and display clear disposal instructions for
solid and chemical wastes.
Minimum Requirements: Farm management
Environmental Management
The farm operator should:
• Be familiar with proper disposal procedures and
emergency action schedules.
• Implement measures to keep barn noise at
acceptable levels, especially near urban areas.
• Prevent noise that could negatively impact animal
growth and productivity.
• Regularly monitor air quality to maintain acceptable
levels for animal and human health.
• Take measures to minimize excessive odors from
waste decomposition.
The End