Feb 12, 2026 In October 2025, the Philippines notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a proposed amendment to the Department of Agriculture Administrative Circular 6 series of 2022 – G/SPS/N/PHL/533. This Circular was proposed as a measure to curb smuggling and strengthen sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls.
Canada submitted a WTO comment letter detailing Canada’s concerns that several proposed amendments in the draft regulation may unintentionally introduce uncertainty, create unnecessary barriers to trade, increase operational costs and administrative burdens, and reduce supply chain efficiency. We understand that Australia, New Zealand and the United States have also raised concerns.
On January 28, 2026, the Federal Market Access Team learned that the Philippines’ Department of Agriculture (DA) had formally adopted the amendments as Department Circular No. 14, series of 2025 (DC14). Further details may be found here: https://www.da.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/dc14_s2025.pdf.
Although the Circular has been adopted, it is not clear if it is being enforced at this time.
This amendment applies to a broad scope of agricultural and fishery products imported into the Philippines.
Canada through the Indo-Pacific Agriculture and Agri-Food Office and Canada’s Embassy the Philippines will continue to consult with like-minded countries and engage with the Philippines on this amendment to obtain further details.
We invite Canadian companies and industry associations to share any impacts already experienced, anticipated challenges, or questions related to this Circular. Your feedback will help inform Canada’s ongoing analysis and engagement with Philippine authorities.
Please direct any observations or concerns to the Market Access Secretariat aafc.mas-sam.aac@agr.gc.ca.
Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Market Access Secretariat
