G/SPS/N/USA/3137  
 
27 November 2019  
(19-8131) Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES  
1. Notifying Member:  UNITED STATES OF AME RICA 
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)  
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):  Tilapia  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document:  Federal Order for US Imports of Live Fish, Fertilized 
Eggs, and Gametes from Tilaipa L ake Virus (TiLV) - Susceptible Species (DA -2019-01, 
12 November 2019) . Language(s): English . Number of pages: 6 
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal -and-animal -product -
import -informatio n/live -animal -imports/import -fish 
6. Description of content:  APHIS is issuing this Federal Order to prevent the entry or 
introduction of TiLV into the United States by restricting import shipments of all live fish, 
fertilized eggs, and gametes from TiLV -susceptible species. This Federal Order, effective 
12 December  2019, requires all such commodities to meet the US import requirements 
outlined in the attached measure, including accompaniment by a USDA import permit, 
official health certificate, and veterinary inspection.  
7. Objective and rationale: [  ] food safety,  [X] animal health, [  ] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [  ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.  
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:  APHIS has 
determined that the introductio n and establishment of TiLV poses a serious threat to 
US agriculture. Restrictions to prevent the introduction and establishment of the virus are 
warranted to address the animal health and economic risks associated with imports of 
live fish, fertilized egg s, and gametes from susceptible species.  
9. Is there a relevant international standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :  
[ ] World Organization for Animal He alth (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
[X] None  G/SPS/N/USA/3137  
 
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  Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?  
[ ] Yes   [  ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
10. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:    
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable):  
12 December 2019  
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [  ] National Notification 
Authority, [  ] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address 
(if available) of other body:   
USDA, APHIS, VS  
Strategy and Policy - Live Animal Imports  
4700 River Road, Unit 39  
Riverdale, MD 20737  
Tel: +(301) 851 3300, Option 2  
E-mail: VS.Live.Animals.Import.Permits@aphis.usda.gov  
13. Text(s) available from: [  ] National Notification Authority, [  ] National Enqui ry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal -and-animal -product -
import -informatio n/live -animal -imports/import -fish