Memorandum Circular No. 15, Series of 2020 on the Guidelines on Food Safety for Philippine Agricultural and Fishery Sectors During Covid 19 Pandemic. Country/Territory Philippines Document type Miscellaneous Date 2020 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Food & nutrition, Fisheries, General Keyword Enforcement/compliance Policy/planning Processing/handling Fish products Food quality control/food safety Internal trade International trade Public health Agricultural development Fishery management and conservation Geographical area Asia, Asia and the Pacific, East Asian Seas, North Pacific, South-Eastern Asia Entry into force notes These Guidelines shall take effect immediately upon signing hereof and other issuances inconsistent herewith are deemed superseded. Abstract The Department of Agriculture sets guidelines that shall protect against transmission of the deadly virus and shall promote food safety practices in the production, processing, handling, packaging and delivery of consumption goods. Food safety, hygiene and quality standards and practices shall apply to preparations or operations on farm, post-harvest, transport a nd delivery, food retail, canteens, food handling and packaging, and in households. The strict implementation of hygienic practices provided in relevant on-farm food safety standards such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Good Animal Husbandry Practices (GAHP) and Good Aquaculture Practices (GAqP), and in Good Hygienic Practices (GHP) and Good Manufacturing Practices will help minimize the spread of COVID-19 among the food workers. The measures below provide general guidelines which are applicable to all food workers and food business operators in the agricultural and fishery sectors: 1. Reduce transmission among employees; 2. Maintain healthy business operations; 3. Maintain a healthy work environment. The Specific Process Steps are: 1. On-farm Practices (livestock, poultry, and aquaculture farms should implement strict biosecurity measures prior to farm entry to ensure safety to both the farm workers and the animals); 2. Post-harvest Practices; 3. Transport and delivery; 4. Food Retail premises; 5. Food canteens; 6. Food Packaging; and 7. Consumers. Full text English Website www.da.gov.ph