. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/SGP/23
27 June 2003
(03-3443)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   SINGAPORE
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:   Agri-Food and Veterinary  Authority of Singapore
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where
applicable):  Horses for racing, polo and equestrian
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France,  Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Ireland, Italy,
Japan, Macau SAR, Malaysia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and theUnited States of America.
5. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:   Veterinary Regulations
for the Importation of Horses (6 pages);  Veterinary Regulations for Importation of Horses –
Return of Singapore horses from international races (3 pages).
6. Description of content:   
1. The Veterinary Regulations for Importation of Horses proposes additional certification
with regard to West Nile virus infection in horses.  Testing and vaccinations are offered asoptions to the certification.
2. The Veterinary Regulations for Importation of  Horses – Return of Singapore horses from
international races presents a new set of regulations permitting Singapore-based horses to
participate in international races in listed countries and to return to Singapore under an
approved management without the need to go through a mandatory 2-week quarantine.
7. Objective and rationale:  [    ] food safety, [ X ] animal health, [   ] plant protection,
[ X ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or  disease,  [   ]  protect territory from
other damage from pests
8. International standard, gu ideline or recommendation:
[   ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [   ] Office International des Epizooties,
[   ] International Plant Prot ection Convention, [ X ] None
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:
There are no international guidelines with rega rd to certification for West Nile virus for
imported horses.  However, validated tests and vaccine are available for the infection in
horses and are appropriate measures to prevent importing horses infected with West Nile
virus.
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Available in English.G/SPS/N/SGP/23
Page 2
10. Proposed date of adoption:   9 August 2003
11. Proposed date of entry into force:   9 August 2003
12. Final date for comments:  9 August 2003
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [   ] National notification
authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:
13. Texts available from:  [ X ] National notification authority,  [ X ]  National enquiry
point,  or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore
Attn:  Dr. Tay Choon Nghee5 Maxwell Road, #02-03
Tower Block, MND Complex
Singapore 069110
Republic of Singapore
E-mail:  tay_choon_nghee@ava.gov.sg