G/SPS/GEN/1777  
 
8 May 2020  
(20-3508) Page: 1/8 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE  IMPLEMENTATION OF A RTICLE 6  
OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE APPLICATION OF S ANITARY  
AND PHYTOSANITARY ME ASURES  
NOTE BY THE SECRETAR IAT1 
Article 6 of the SPS Agreement requires that measures take into account pest - or disease -free areas 
or areas of low pest or disease prevalence. This concept is frequently referred to as "regionalization". 
At the 2 -3 April 2008 meeting, the Committee on San itary and Phytosanitary Measures adopted 
guidelines to further the practical implementation of Article 6.2 These guidelines are intended to 
provide assistance to Members in the implementation of Article 6 by improving transparency, 
exchange of information,  predictability, confidence and credibility between importing and exporting 
Members.  
The guidelines require the Secretariat to prepare an annual report to the Committee on 
implementation of Article 6 based on the information provided by Members concerning:  
a. requests for recognition of pest - or disease -free areas or areas of low pest or disease 
prevalence;  
b. determinations on whether to recognize a pest - or disease -free area or area of low pest 
or disease prevalence; and/or  
c. Members' experiences in the implement ation of Article 6 and the provision of relevant 
background information by Members on their decisions to other interested Members.  
The report covers the period from 1 April 2019 until 31 March 2020,3 based on information provided 
by Members through notific ations and information presented during SPS  Committee meetings. 
This information was frequently provided under the agenda item "Pest  - and or Disease -Free 
Areas  - Article 6". Relevant information provided under other agenda items is also included in the 
report. A list of notifications related to Article 6 is contained in section 4 ; and section 5  lists the 
relevant specific trade concerns.  
Within the context of the Fifth  Review  of the Operation and Implementation of the SPS Agreement , 
the Committee has also discussed several proposals on regionalization.4 
 
1 This document has been prepared under the Secretariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights and obligations under the WTO.  
2 G/SPS/48 . 
3 This current report includes the issues that were considered in the  June and November 2019 SPS 
Committee meetings. This report would also normally include the issues discussed in the March 2020 SPS 
Committee meeting, however this meeting was cancell ed. See document JOB/SPS/5/Rev.1/Corr.1 . 
4 Individual proposals on region alization were initially submitted by Brazil ( G/SPS/W/301 , later replaced 
by G/SPS/W/307 ), the  European Union ( G/SPS/W/298 ) and the United States ( G/SPS/W/303 ). Subsequently, 
these three Members presented a joint paper containing a number of questions for Members, and for IPPC and 
OIE ( G/SPS/W/311 ). Members ( G/SPS/W/311/Add.1/Rev.2 ), IPPC ( G/SPS/W/311/Add.3 ) and OIE 
(G/SPS/W/311/Add.2  and G/SPS/W/311/Add.2/Corr.1 ) submitted comments/responses to the questions in the 
joint proposal. An overview of all of the proposals submitted under the Fifth Review are available in document 
G/SPS/GEN/1625/Rev.5 . In addition, information on the discussions under the Fifth Review are summarized in 
Part A of the draft Report of the Fifth Review ( G/SPS/W/313/Rev.2 , see section 9 on regionalization).  G/SPS/GEN/1777  
 
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  1  REQUESTS FOR RECOGNI TION OF PEST - OR DIS EASE -FREE AREAS OR A REAS OF LOW 
PEST OR DISEASE PREV ALENCE  
1.1  July 2019 meeting ( G/SP S/R/ 95 and G/SPS/R/9 5/Corr.1 ) 
1.1.1   Russian Federation – Recovery of the OIE 'FMD -free zone without vaccination' 
status  
1.1.  The Russian Federation reported that its "FMD free zone where vaccination is not practiced" 
status had been suspended on 30 September 2017 due to the immediate notification of a single FMD 
outbreak in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Based on the strict quarantine measures applied and the 
documentation submitted, the OIE Scientific Commission by Resolution No. 15 of the 83rd OIE 
General Session, concluded  that the zone could regain its previous status as of 20 May 2019 . 
1.1.2   Russian Federation - Self-declaration of the recovery of zone freedom from highly 
pathogenic avian influenza  
1.2.  The Russian Federation updated Members that HPAI, observed in Eurasia since the  end of 2016, 
and which had affected the Russian Federation, had been brought under control. Regionalization for 
this disease (high and low pathogenic AI separately) had been conducted on the territory in 
accordance with the provisions of Chapter 4.3 of th e OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code. These 
actions and further disease surveillance procedures allowed the Russian Federation to eradicate 
outbreaks and maintain a zone free from AI in all 85 Russian administrative regions. In April 2019, 
the Russian Fede ration's self -declaration of the recovery of zone free from HPAI was published on 
the OIE website. Further detailed information was available online on the WAHIS portal of the OIE.  
1.2  November 2019 meeting ( G/SPS/R/ 97/Rev.1 ) 
1.2.1   Mexico – OIE recognized self-declarations  
1.3.  Mexico provided information on recent communications circulated to Members, including 
G/SPS/GEN/1721  in relation to the self-declaration by Mexico as a pullorum disease - and fowl 
typhoid -free country in poultry; G/SPS/GEN/1723  regarding the self-declaration by Mexico as a as 
a country historic ally free from glanders; G/SPS/GEN/1724  on the self-declaration by Mexico as a 
country historically free from dourine; and G/SPS/GEN/1725 , concerning the self-declaration by 
Mexico as a country historically free from myiasis caused by new world screwworm 
(Cochliomyia  hominivorax ) and old -world screwworm ( Chryso mya bezziana ). Mexico indicated that 
the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) through the National Agriculture and 
Food Health, Safety and Quality Service (SENASICA) was the entity in charge of the 
aforementioned  self-declarations.  
2  DETERMI NATION ON WHETHER TO  RECOGNIZE A PEST - OR DISEASE -FREE AREA OR 
AREA OF LOW PEST OR DISEASE PREVALENCE  
2.1.  No Member reported on experiences in recognizing a pest - or disease -free area during the 
period covered by this report.  
3  MEMBERS' EXPERIENCES  IN THE IMPLEM ENTATION OF ARTICLE 6 
3.1  July 201 9 meeting (G/SPS/R/95  and G/SPS/R/95/Corr.1 ) 
3.1.1   Chile – Regionalization regarding quarantine for pests in Chile  
3.1.  Chile referred Members to document G/SPS/GEN/1716 , which reported on its measures to 
establish criteria for regionalization for quarantine pests. The document was related to plant health 
and provided an up -to-date list of  plagues, as advised by IPPC, as well as the risk analysis for 
products from certain areas. The document also included weblinks to further online information.  G/SPS/GEN/1777  
 
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  3.1.2   Peru – Improvement of  national SPS procedures  
3.2.  Peru updated Members that its National Fisheries He alth Services (SANIPES) had undergone 
the Evaluation of Performance of its Aquatic Animal Health Services (OIE PVS ). Peru had received 
preliminary results of the report, which were being implemented to improve their fisheries health 
system.  
3.2  November 201 9 meeting ( G/SPS/R/ 97/Rev.1 ) 
3.3.  No Member reported on its experiences.  
4  NOTIFICATIONS RELATE D TO ARTICLE 6  
4.1.  From April 2019 through March 2020, 115 notifications ( 35 regular and 80 emergency) related 
to Article 6. Seventeen  of those notifications ( 11 regular  and 6 emergency ) indicated that the notified 
measure was trade facilitating; these notifications mainly inform of measures that will simplify the 
requirements for the import of products originating  from certain regions, as well as the recognition 
of pest -free o r disease -free areas  (Table 4.1 ). 
Table 4.1: Trade Facilitating Notifications Related to Article 6  
Document symbol  Notifying 
Member  Description of content  
G/SPS/N/ARG/234  
(Regular not ification ) Argentina  The notified text establishes phytosanitary requirements for 
the importation of pistachio ( Pistacia atlantica  X Pistacia  
integerrima ) plants from Spain on the basis of a pest risk 
analysis.  
G/SPS/N/CHL/603  
(Regular not ification ) Chile The notified text amends Agriculture and Livestock Service 
Resolution 2.458 of 2013 establishing phytosanitary 
requirements for the importation into Chile of fresh stone fruit  
from the State of California in the United States of America, 
by: 
▪ removing the following sentence from point 2.1: "The 
consignment has undergone phytosanitary treatment 
for the control of Drosophila suzukii  (Dip.: 
Drosophilidae)";  
▪ removing the following sentence from point 2.2 
entitled "For fresh cherries": "The consignment has 
undergone phytosanitary treatment for the control of 
Drosophila suzukii  (Dip.: Drosophilidae)";  
▪ replacing point 3 by "For fresh peaches, nectarines, 
Japanese  plums, European plums, apricots and 
cherries, fumigation treatment using methyl bromide 
for Epiphyas postvittana  (Lep.: Tortricidae) will be 
accepted, and must be carried out at the place of 
origin or the destination. The specifications regarding 
the trea tment must be indicated in the corresponding 
section of the phytosanitary certificate:  
 
Temperature 
(°C) Dosage range 
(gr/m3) Exposure time 
(hr) 
> 22 32 2 
17-22 40 2 
12-17 48 2 
6-12 64 2 
 
Once the treatment has been completed, the shipment must 
remain protected at all times until it has been dispatched to 
Chile. G/SPS/GEN/1777  
 
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  Document symbol  Notifying 
Member  Description of content  
G/SPS/N/CHL/612  
(Regular not ification ) Chile The notified Exempt Resolution establishes the phytosanitary 
requirements governing the importation into Chile of fresh 
table grapes ( Vitis vinifera ) from the state of California in the 
United States of America, removes Drosophila suzukii  from the 
list of quarantine pests not found in Chile and repeals 
Resolution No. 1411/2001.  
G/SPS/N/C RI/227   
(Regular notification ) Costa Rica  The notified draft Resolution establishes phytosanitary 
requirements for the importation of potato ( Solanum 
tuberosum ) seeds for sowing originating in the Netherlands.  
G/SPS/N/ECU/219  
(Regular n otification ) Ecuador  The main objective of Resolution DAJ -20142BE -0201.0215 is 
to guarantee the animal health status of Ecuador with regard 
to Schmallenberg virus, through the establishment of specific 
animal health requirements for the importation of gene tic 
material, semen, ova and embryos.  
In order to facilitate trade and improve the reproduction of 
animals for slaughter that are susceptible to this virus in 
Ecuador, the following amendments have been made to the 
regulations:  
Two paragraphs have been inc luded in Article 3, which 
establishes that "in order to proceed with the importation of 
genetic material (semen and embryos) of bovine animals from 
countries affected by Schmallenberg virus disease, an 
additional sanitary certificate must be presented stat ing that : 
▪ Regarding semen from donors that showed positive 
serological results for Schmallenberg virus, each batch to 
be shipped shall be tested for the presence of the 
Schmallenberg  virus genome using a RNA extraction 
method validated by means of a RT -qPCR system, in a 
laboratory approved by the competent authority, and 
must show negative results (attach results).  
▪ The semen used to obtain embryos for export must meet 
the requirements  concerning Schmallenberg virus in 
accordance with paragraph a, b or c.  
G/SPS/N/KAZ/36  
(Emergency notificat ion) Kazakhstan  On the basis of the official notification of the World 
Organisation for Animal Health, the Committee for Veterinary 
Control and Supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of 
Kazakhstan reports outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian 
Influenza (HPAI) registered in the Voronezh region, Russian 
Federation. In this regard, since 8 February 2019, temporary 
restrictions are imposed on the importation of live poultry and 
hatching eggs, down and feathers, poultry meat and all kinds 
of poultry products that have not undergone heat treatment 
(not less than 70°C), feed and feed additives for birds (except 
feed additives of chemical and microbiological synthesis), 
hunting trophies that have not undergone taxidermic 
treatment (feathered game), as well as use d equipment for 
keeping, slaughter and cutting of birds.  
G/SPS/N/KAZ/40  
(Emergency notificat ion) Kazakhstan  On the basis of the World Organization for Animal Health, the 
Committee of Veterinary Control and Supervision of the 
Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports 
outbreaks of Newcastle disease registered in the territory of  
Saratov Oblast of the Russian Federation. In this regard, since 
9 July 2019, temporary restrictions are imposed on the 
importation and transit through the territory of the Republic of 
Kazakhstan of live poultry and hatching eggs, down and 
feathers, poultr y meat and all poultry products, which have 
not been heat treated (at least 70°C), fodder and feed 
additives for birds (with the exception of feed additives of G/SPS/GEN/1777  
 
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  Document symbol  Notifying 
Member  Description of content  
chemical and microbiological synthesis), as well as used 
equipment for the maintenance, slaughte r and cutting of 
birds.  
G/SPS/N/KAZ/41  
(Emergency noti fication)  Kazakhstan  On the basis of  the World Organization for Animal Health, the 
Committee of Veterinary Control and Supervision of the 
Ministry of agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports 
outbreaks of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in the State 
of Mato Grosso, Brazil. In this r egard, since 9 July 2019, 
temporary restrictions are introduced on the import of 
breeding and commercial cattle susceptible to bovine 
spongiform encephalopathy, as well as beef, including end 
products, non -edible raw materials and products obtained 
from ca ttle susceptible to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, 
as well as used equipment for the maintenance, slaughter, 
feed and feed additives fo r food-producing animals.  
G/SPS/N/KAZ/45  
(Emergency noti fication)  Kazakhstan  On the basis of the World Organization for Animal Health, the 
Committee for Veterinary Control and Surveillance of the 
Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports 
outbreaks of sheep and goat pox in the Tverskaya and 
Voronezhskaya oblasts of the Russian Federation. In this 
regard, since 9 October 2019, temporary restrictions have 
been introduced:  
1. on the importation into Kazakhstan from the 
Tverskaya and Voronezhskaya oblasts of the Russian 
Federation of: live sheep, goats and other animals 
susceptible to sheep and goat pox; genetic material; 
products obtained from sheep and goats (meat, meat 
products, milk and dairy products, other raw materials 
and products obtained from slaughtering of sheep and 
goats (not undergone  heat treatment sufficient to 
elimination of pathogenic microorganisms); used 
equipment for keeping, slaughtering and processing 
of sheep and goats; hunting trophies from susceptible 
animal species; feed and feed additives containing 
processed products of sheep and goats (not 
undergone heat treatment at temperature no less 
than 70 °C);  
2. on the transit through the territory of Kazakhstan of 
live sheep and goats originating from the Tverskaya 
and Voronezhskaya oblasts of the Russian Federation.  
G/SPS/N/KAZ/46  
(Emergency notification ) Kazakhstan  On the basis of the World Organization for Animal Health, the 
Committee for Veterinary Control and Surveillance of the 
Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports 
outbreaks of the Newcastle disease registered in the 
Zabaykals ky Krai of the Russian Federation. In this regard, 
since 18 October 2019, temporary restrictions have been 
introduced:  
1. on the importation into Kazakhstan of live birds and 
hatching eggs, down and feathers, poultry meat and 
all poultry products, that not heat treated to ensure 
destruction of the Newcastle disease virus (according 
to the provisions of Chapter 10.9 of the OIE  terrestrial 
animal health Code), feed and feed additives for birds 
(except feed additives of chemical and microbiological 
synthesis), as well as used equipment for the 
maintenance, slaughter and cutting of birds from the 
Zabaykalsky Krai of the Russian Fe deration;  G/SPS/GEN/1777  
 
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  Document symbol  Notifying 
Member  Description of content  
2. on the transit through the territory of Kazakhstan of 
live birds from the Zabaykalsky Krai of the Russian 
Federation.  
G/SPS/N/KAZ/47  
(Emergency notification)  Kazakhstan  On the basis of the World Organization for Animal Health, the 
Committee for Veterinary Control and Su rveillance of the 
Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports 
outbreaks of anthrax in the Khotomel Village of the Stolinsky 
region of the Brest oblast of Belarus. In this regard, since 19 
August 2019 , temporary restrictions have been intr oduced on 
the importation into Kazakhstan from the Khotomel Village of 
the Stolinsky region of the Brest oblast of Belarus of food -
producing animals and free -roaming animals, genetic 
materials, raw materials and products obtained from animals, 
horn-hoofed raw materials (horns, antlers, hooves), rawstock 
(hides of horses, deer and wild animals).  
G/SPS/N/MEX/371  
(Regular notification)  Mexico  Please be advised that, on the basis of a pest risk analysis, the 
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development established the 
proposed phytosanitary requirements for the importation into 
Mexico of tomato ( Solanum lycopersicu m L.) seeds originating 
from Tanzania and coming from the Netherlands.  
G/SPS/N/MEX/373  
(Regular n otification)  Mexico  Please be advised that, on the basis of a pest risk analysis, the 
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development established the 
proposed phytosanitary requirements governing the 
importation into Mexico of cucumber ( Cucumis sativus  L.) 
seeds originating in Tanzania and coming from the 
Netherlands.  
G/SPS/N/MEX/374  
(Regular notification)  Mexico  Please be advised that, on the basis of a pest risk analysis, the 
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development established the 
proposed phytosanitary requirements governing  the 
importation into Mexico of melon ( Cucumis melo  L.) seeds 
originating in Tanzania and coming from the Netherlands.  
G/SPS/N/MEX/376  
(Regular n otification)  Mexico  In accordance with the Agreement on the Application of 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Mexico hereby advises 
that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and 
the National Agri -Food Health, Safety and Quality Service have 
established the result of the relevant pest risk analysis. 5 
G/SPS/N/MEX/378  
(Regular n otification)  Mexico  In accordance with the Agreement on the Application of 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Mexico hereby advises 
that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and 
the National Agri -Food Health, Safety and Quality Service have 
established the result of the relevant pest risk analysis. 6 
 G/SPS/N/MEX/379  
(Regular notification)  Mexico  In accordance with the Agreement on the Application of 
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Mexico hereby advises 
that the Ministry of Agric ulture and Rural Development and 
the National Agri -Food Health, Safety and Quality Service have 
established the result of the relevant pest risk analysis. 7 
 
 
5 In the notification, Greece  is indicated as the specific region/ country likely to be affected  and the products 
covered are cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum  L.) seeds .  
6 In the notification, the United Kingdom  is indicated as the  specific region/ country likely to be affected  
and the product covered is  wheat ( Triticum aestivum  L.) grain.  
7 In the notification, France  is indicated as the specific region/ country likely to be affected  and the product s 
covered are  fresh apples ( Malus domestica ).  G/SPS/GEN/1777  
 
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  5  SPECIFIC TRADE CONCE RNS AND REGIONALIZAT ION 
5.1.  Specific trade concerns (STCs) can be raised due to issues pertaining to regionalization. From 
April 2019 through March 2020,8  four STCs that related to regionalization were raised for the first 
time (Table 5.1 ). 
Table 5.1: New STCs Related to Regionalization (April 201 9–March 20 20) 
STC No  Title Member raising 
the concern  Member 
maintaining 
the measure  Date first raised  
(subsequently 
raised)  
461 Turkey's FMD -related import 
restrictions on live cattle  Argentina  Turkey  18 July 2019  
(1 time)  
463 Ukraine's restrictions on 
swine products  Brazil  Ukraine  18 July 2019  
(1 time)  
464 Japan's restrictions on 
avocado  Brazil  Japan  18 July 2019  
(0 times)  
466 The Philippines' trade 
restrictions on imports of 
meat European Union  Philippines  7 November 2019  
(0 times)  
5.2.  For the same period, two previously  raised STCs that related to regionalization were brought 
again to the attention of the Committee  (Table 5.2 ). 
Table 5.2: Previously Raised STCs Related to Regionalization (April 201 9–March 20 20) 
STC No  Title Member raising 
the concern  Member 
maintaining  
the measure  Date first raised  
(subsequently 
raised)  
406 China's import restrictions 
due to highly pathogenic 
avian influenza  European Union; 
United States of 
America  China  16 March 2016   
(10 times)  
431 South Africa's import 
restrictions on poultry due to 
highly pathogenic avian 
influenza  European Union  South Africa  2 November 2019  
(6 times)  
5.3.  In addition, panel proceedings in the context of the WTO dispute settlement resolution 
procedures continued with respect to three  previously raised STCs:  
▪ India's restrictions due to avian influenza ( STC 185  raised by the United States, March 2004). 
At its meeting on 19 June 2015, the DSB adopted the Appellate Body report and the panel 
report, as modified by the Appellate Body report  (DS430 ). Thereafter, on 19 April 2016, the 
matter was referred to arbitration under Article 22.6 of the DSU. The arbitration panel was 
composed with the original panelists. On 6 April 2017, India requested the establishment of 
a compliance panel  (Article 21.5) . At its meeting on 19 April 2017, the DSB deferred the 
establishment of a compliance panel. At its meeting on 22 May 2017, the DSB agreed, 
pursuant to Article 21.5 of th e DSU, to refer to the original panel, if possible.  The compliance 
panel was composed by the original panellists. The arbitration and compliance proceedings 
are currently ongoing.  
▪ The Russia n Federation 's measures on live pigs and pork products due to Afri can swine fever 
(STC 369  raised by the European Union, March 2013). At its meeting on 21 March 2017, the 
DSB adopted the Appellate Body report and the panel report ( DS475 ), as modified by the 
Appellate Body report.  Thereafter, on 3 January 2018, the matter was referred to arbitration 
under Article 22.6 of the DSU. O n 25 January 2018, the Russian Federation requested 
consultations under Article 21.5 (com pliance proceedings) of the DSU, and on 2 February 
 
8 This current report  only includes the STCs that were considered in the June and November 2019 SPS 
Committee meetings , as the March 2020 SPS Committee meeting was cancelled . See document 
JOB/SPS/5/Rev.1/Corr.1 . 
 G/SPS/GEN/1777  
 
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  2018, the European Union also requested consultations under Article 21.5 of the DSU.  At its 
meeting on 29 October  2018, the DSB deferred the establishment of a compliance panel. At 
its meeting on 2 1 November 2018, t he DSB agreed, pursuant to Article 21.5 of the DSU, to 
refer to the original panel, if possible. The compliance panel was composed by the original 
panellists.  The c ompliance proceedings are currently ongoing .9 
 
▪ Costa Rica's measures on fresh avocados due to avocado sunblotch viroid ( STC 394  raised 
by Mexico, July 2015). On 8 March 2017, Mexi co requested consultations with Costa Rica. 
On 22 November 2018, Mexico requested the establishment of a panel. At its meeting on 
4 December  2018, the DSB deferred the establishment of a panel.  At its meeting on 
18 December 2018, the DSB established a pane l. Thereafter, t he panel was composed on 
16 May 2019. The  panel proceedings are currently ongoing.  
 
__________  
 
9 Pursuant to a request from the European Union for the panel to suspend its proceedings in accordance 
with Article 12.12 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU), 
the panel informed the  DSB of its decision of 28 January 2020 to suspend its work ( WT/DS475/24 ).