WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/GEN/235
9 March 2001
(01-1166)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English/
Spanish
ACTIONS AIMED AT IMPLEMENTING THE AGREEMENT
ON SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES
Information presented by the Inter-American Institute
for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)
1. At the meeting held in November 2000, it was suggested that the ad hoc observer
organizations present information in writing on the actions being taken to implement the Agreement
on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement), so that the Memberscan study them in greater detail.
2. IICA is currently engaged in a series of actions to help its members implement the SPS
Agreement.  Some of these actions are described below:
Transparency3. In order to foster transparency, IICA has developed several channels of communication with
its member countries.  These are used to disseminate information on current sanitary and
phytosanitary conditions, the most important developments vis-à-vis the relevant international
organizations, and the latest international regulations.  These communication mechanisms are also
used by specialists and technicians of sanitary, phytosanitary and food safety systems, and of
international organizations.  Technical information is also provided on animal and plant health and
food safety.  These mechanisms include:
− The Andean Sanitary and Phytosanitary Information System (SANINET).  Created in 1996, it
originally covered only the Andean region (Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador andBolivia).  However, it has since been extended to the hemispheric level.
− The Andean Agricultural Health Forum (FASA).  Also set up in 1996 to meet the needs of the
Andean region.  This is an important tool for institutional articulation.
− Caribbean Animal and Plant Health Inform ation Network (CARAPHIN).  Covers the
Caribbean countries.  This year it launched a web site on Internet.
− Agrifood bulletin of the Southern Cone countries.  It has operated since 1998; it covers Chile,
Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
− Agrosalud.  Informatics tool used to analyze and distribute information among the actors in
agricultural health and food safety.  Hemispheric in scope, it has been operating since 1999.
− ACCESO bulletin.  Provides information on the WTO Committee on Sanitary and
Phytosanitary Measures. Hemispheric in scope, it has operated since 2000.G/SPS/GEN/235
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Harmonization
4. IICA’s monitoring of, and participation in, the three relevant international organizations and
the WTO Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures has allowed it to foster harmonization
through the programmes under which it provides institutional support to the member countries.
− In the Caribbean countries, specific actions have been carried out regarding the registration of
veterinary products and the control of agrochemicals, through cooperation and institution-building efforts for the bodies responsible for regulating these products.  Cooperative actions
have also been undertaken in this region wi th a view to implementing harmonized measures
and procedures related to risk analysis, inspection and certification, international standards,
laboratory diagnoses, etc.
− IICA, the FAO and the Secretariat of CARICOM are exploring the creation of an agency to
promote the harmonization of sanitary, phytosanitary and food safety standards in the region.
− A process is also under way in the Caribbean to modernize health systems that could lead to
greater harmonization of legislation through a review of existing legislation.  The FAO and
USDA are also taking part in this project.
− IICA has completed the "Model legislation on animal quarantine for the CARICOM
countries", which will distributed in March 2001.
− IICA is supporting the efforts of the Caribbean countries to harmonize standards on Bovine
Spongiform Encephalopathy.
− In Paraguay, manuals of procedures have been harmonized with the guidelines of the
international technical organizations referenced by the WTO.  The procedures have beenimplemented since 2000.
The communication mechanisms established by IICA have also allowed the interested parties to
discuss the issue on a permanent basis.
Pest- or Disease-Free Areas and Areas of Low Pest or Disease Prevalence
5. Through technological improvements and the creation of specific programmes, IICA has
encouraged the development of pest- or disease-free areas and areas of low pe st or disease prevalence.
− The support provided in relation to diagnostic laboratories and veterinary control has helped
to strengthen the services for the control and eradication of diseases that are important for
international trade (e.g. in the Caribbean countries and Paraguay).
− Programme for the eradication of the fruit fly and modernization of plant protection services.
This project will get under way around the middle of this year, in collaboration with a numberof agencies, including USDA, IAEA and FAO.  It will also be implemented soon in Central
America, Panama and Belize.
− Programme for the reestablishment of the cultivation of coconut palm, through the eradication
or prevention of the lethal yellowing of coc onut in Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala and El
Salvador.  Ongoing.
− Programme for the control of the fruit fly. Based on the bi-national cooperation experience of
Chile and Peru, for the control and eradication of the fruit fly.  The target countries will beColombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.
− IICA currently has a programme in Guyana, French Guyana, Suriname and Brazil aimed at
eradicating the carambola fruit fly ( Bactrocera carambolae ).  Guyana was declared free of
the pest in October 2000, and it is hoped that Suriname will follow suit in 2003.G/SPS/GEN/235
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− IICA has provided support to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries of Guyana and
PANAFTOSA in their efforts to declare the country free of foot-and-mouth disease with
recognition by the OIE.
Risk Analysis and Equivalence
− Currently in review is the Andean System for Studies on Risk Analysis and Sanitary and
Phytosanitary Equivalence.  This is an init iative designed to promote trade in the Andean
region through the use of these tools.  It is being supported by the FAO, APHIS-USDA
(USA) and the SAGAR (Mexico) and is targeted at Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and
Bolivia.
− Risk analysis units have been strengthened in the Caribbean countries through training
courses, the production of manuals and institutional cooperation.
− Since 1999, and in cooperation with IICA, the United States, Canada and Mexico, in
conjunction with Mercosur and Chile, have held two symposia on the equivalence of sanitaryand phytosanitary measures and how they relate to the Codex Alimentarius.
The issue of equivalence has been promoted and analyzed though training courses and discussion
forums involving professionals in this field.
Note: For further information contact:
ebolanos@iica.ac.cr  or
eperez@iica.ac.cr
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