G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev.20  
 
5 March 2020  
(20-1723) Page: 1/22 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures    
 
SPECIFIC TRADE CONCE RNS 
NOTE BY THE SECRETAR IAT1 
Revision  
At the 15 -16 March 2000 meeting of the Committee  on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 
(the SPS Committee) , the Secretariat was requested to prepare a paper summarizing the specific 
trade concerns (STCs) that had been brought to the Committee's attention since 1995.2 
The Secretariat has revised this document annually to include new information provided by Memb ers 
(G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev.1  to G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 19). The STCs in the 20th revision of 
G/SPS/GEN/204  maintain the previously assigned numbers according to the chronological order of 
the Committee meeting s in which they were first raised , although some titles have been updated  to 
reflect the latest  state of the concern . These numbers serve as unique identifiers and are intended 
to facilitate the tracking of issues raised  over time.3 In preparing this document, the Secretariat has 
largely relied on the SPS Information Management System (SPS IMS).4 The SPS IMS is a special ized 
and detailed information source on SPS notifications, specific trade concerns, National Notification 
Authorities (NNAs) and National Enquiry Points (NEPs) contact information, and other 
SPS documents. It allows for advanced searches according to speci fic criteria and also facilitates the 
creation of custom reports and graphs, which can be shared with interested stakeholders.  
 
The 20th revision of G/SPS/GEN/204  is divided into two sections:  
 
a. General overview  of specific t rade concerns ; and 
b. Specific trade concern s considered  in 2019. 
Section 1  of the document contains summary statistics and graphs for all the STCs raised in the 
SPS Committee between the first regular meeting of 1995 and the last regular meeting of 2019. 
This section provides detailed annual information on the concerns raised per meeting, as well as the 
relation between the number of notifications and the number of co ncerns. Besides, t he STCs are 
categorized as relating to food safety, animal  or plant health , or other concerns . Information is also 
provided on the participation of Members in STCs, by development status, as well as on the average 
frequencies STCs are rai sed. 
 
Section 2  of the document contains information regarding all STCs which were raised in the 
SPS Committee in 2019. This includes (1) STCs raised for the first time in 2019, (2) STCs which 
were previously raised and discussed again in 2019 and (3) STCs  that were resolved in 2019 or for 
which substantive action occurred under the DSU . Additionally, the STCs are also presented by 
Member maintaining the measure.  
 
 
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/R/18 , para. 20.  
3 One "issue" in this document refers to the participation of one Member in a specific trade concern (STC). 
As such, the participation of two Members in raising the same concern would be considered as two issues and, 
likewise, the participation of one single Memb er in raising (or supporting) two different trade concerns would be 
considered as two issues. Consequently, in this document the number of issues is much higher than the number 
of STCs . 
4 http://spsims.wto.org . G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 2 - 
 
  Some key points are the following:  
− A total of 469 STCs have been raised since 1995 ; of these, 17 were  first raised in 2019.  
− The number of STCs raised does not follow an increasing trend over time, despite the annual 
raise in number of notifications . 
− Animal health represent s 36% of the STCs raised , food safety represents 33% , and plant 
health  accounts for 24% . 
− The average number of times STCs have been raised is 2.9. 
− Participation of developing countries raising and supporting STCs, as well as maintaining 
measure s subject to STCs, is higher than that of developed countries.  
− A total of 16 8 (36% ) of STCs have been reported as resolved , and 34 (7%) as partially 
resolved . 
− In 2019, two concerns were reported as resolved.  
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 3 - 
 
  Table of c ontents  
1   GENERAL OVERVIEW  OF SPECIFIC TRADE C ONCERNS  ................................ .................  4 
Chart 1.1 – Number of new STCs raised since 1995, per Committee meeting  .............................  4 
Chart 1.2 – Number of new and previously raised STCs raised per year since 1995  .....................  4 
Chart 1.3 - Notifications (excluding addenda and corrigenda) and new STCs raised since 1995  ..... 5 
Chart 1.4 – STCs by subject (1995 -2019)  ................................ ................................ ..............  5 
Chart 1.5 - Primary subject keywords of new STCs per year  ................................ .....................  6 
Chart 1.6 – Number of issues, according to the development status of Members (1995 -2019)  ...... 7 
Chart 1.7 – New issues according to the development status of the Member raising the STC  ........  7 
Chart 1.8 – New issues according to the development status of the Member supporting the STC ... 8 
Chart 1.9 – New issues according to the development status of the Member maintaining the 
measure subject to an STC  ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 8 
Chart 1.10 - Members which have raised the most STCs since 1995  ................................ ..........  9 
Chart 1.11 - Members whose measures have been subject to the most STC since 1995  ...............  9 
Chart 1.12 – Resolution of STCs  ................................ ................................ .......................... 10 
Chart 1.13 - Average number of times STCs have been raised since 199 5 ................................ .10 
Table 1.1 - Summary of statistics on resolution of STCs  ................................ .......................... 11 
2   SPECIFIC TRADE C ONCERNS CONSIDERED I N 2019  ................................ ..................  12 
Chart 2.1 – New and previous STCs raised in 2019, by primary subject keywords, compared   to 
the all STCs raised between 1995 and 2018 (percentage)  ................................ ....................... 12 
Chart 2.2 - Participation of Members in STCs in 2019  ................................ ............................. 13 
Table 2.1 – Participation of Members in STCs, by development status  ................................ .......13 
Table 2.2 – STCs raised for the first time in 2019  ................................ ................................ ...14 
Table 2.3 - STCs previously raised and discussed  again in 2019  ................................ ............... 16 
Table 2.4 - STCs where substantive action occurred under the DSU in 2019 or reported  as 
resolved (R) or partially  resolved (PR), not reported as resolved (NR)  ................................ ......20 
Table 2.5 - Members maintaining measures subject to STCs (new or old) in 2019, in     
alphabetical order  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............. 21 
 
 G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 4 - 
 
  1  GENERAL OVERVIEW  OF SPECIFIC TRADE C ONCERNS  
1.1.  Altogether, 469 STCs have been raised in the 25 years between 1995 and the end of 2019. 
The full list of STCs raised since 1995 can be found in the SPS IMS .5 Chart 1.1 shows the number of 
new STCs raised each year , per Committee meeting, and Chart 1. 2 shows the number of new and 
previously raised STCs pe r year . 
Chart 1.1 – Number of new STCs raised  since 1995 , per Committee meeting  
 
 
Chart 1. 2 – Number of new and previously raised STCs raised per year since  19956 
 
 
1.2.  On average since 1995, 6.2 new STCs  and 11.8 previously raised STCs were raised per 
Committee meeting.  
 
5 http://spsims.wto.org/en/PredefinedReports/ListOfSpecificTradeConcerns . 
6 Please note that the number of times an STC is raised during the year is not taken into account.  
21124 23
13
102843
29
2131
101616
1322
16 1624
1421
1417 18 17
05101520253035404550
March June/July October/November
21124 23
13102843
29
2131
1016 16132216 1624
1421
1417 18 17298
10123522
27
2320
191913 181219 1916
1218
22 1523 23
010203040506070
New STCs Previously raised STCsG/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 5 - 
 
  1.3.  Chart 1.3  compares new STCs  raised and the number of regular and emergency notifications 
submitted per year. Despite the annual increase  in the number of notifications submitted by 
Members since 19957, the number of STCs does not follow a similar increasing trend . 
Chart 1. 3 - Notifications (excluding addenda and corrigenda) and new STCs raised since  
19958 
 
 
1.4.  Chart 1. 4 categorizes  the 469 new STCs raised since 1995  into food safety, animal or plant 
health , or other concerns . Overall,  170 (36%) of STCs raised relate to animal health and zoonoses, 
155 ( 33%) relate to food safety concerns, 111 ( 24%) relate to plant health, and 33 (7%) relate to  
other issues such as certificati on requirements , control or inspection procedures . These statis tics are 
summarized in Table 1.1. 
Chart 1. 4 – STCs  by subject (1995 -2019 ) 
 
 
 
7 See Chart 1 in G/SPS/GEN/804/Rev.12 . 
8 Please note the different scales of the axis . 
05101520253035404550
02004006008001,0001,2001,400
Number of new STCsNumber of notifications
Regular notifications Emergency notifications New STCs
Animal health
36%Food safety
33%Other
7%
Plant health
24%G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 6 - 
 
  1.5.  While there does not seem to be a clear pattern in the primary subject  keywords  of new STCs 
submitted, food safety is the most frequent primary keyword  of new STCs raised over the last few 
years, alternating with animal health . Plant health appear s slightly less frequently as the primary 
subject keyword of new STCs  since 2000 (Chart 1. 5). 
Chart 1. 5 - Primary subject keywords of new STCs per year  
 
 
1.6.  Comparing  the number of times  STCs have been  raised since 1995 , those relating to food 
safety have been raised the most frequently, 3.1 times on a verage. STCs relating to animal health 
and plant health have been raised 2.9 and 2.7 times on average , respectively ; and STCs relating to 
other concerns have been raised  on average  2.8 times. These statistics  are summarized in Table  1.1. 
1.7.  Charts 1.6 to 1.9 reflect the number of issues  raised by Members at SPS Committee meetings, 
which are then number ed under STCs , categorized by development status . As per footnote 3 , the 
same issue can be raised by more than one Member, in which case it is grouped under the same 
STC number. Therefore, the number of issues raised can be larger than the number of STCs.  
Developing country Members  are participating actively under th e agenda item  on STCs. Chart 1. 6 
indicates that , since 1995,  developing country Members have raised 299 issues,  compared to 257 
issues raised by developed country Members , and ten issues raised by least -developed country 
Members.9 A developing country Member  has supported another Member raising an issue  424 times , 
compared to 217 times developed country Member s supported an issue , and 22 times 
least-developed country Members  supported an issue . A total of 277 issues relate d to measures 
maintained by  a develop ing country Member, and 252 measures were maintained b y a develop ed 
country Member. One issue has been raised regarding measures maintained by a least-developed 
country Member.  
  
 
9 On 1 December 2009, the Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty 
establishing the European Community  (done at Lisbon, 13 December 2007) entered into force. On  29 November 
2009, the WTO received a Verbal Note ( WT/L/779 ) from the Council of the European Union and the Commission 
of the European Communities stating that, by virtue of the Treaty of L isbon , as of 1  December  2009, the 
European Union replaces and  succeeds the European Community. However, the European Union is referred to as 
the European Community when an STC was raised or discussed before 1  December 2009. The European Union 
is counted as  one Member. Similarly, when one Member speaks on behalf of ASEAN, it is counted as one Member 
only. 
051015202530354045
Food safety Animal health Plant health Other concernsG/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 7 - 
 
  Chart 1.6 – Number of i ssues , according to the development status of Members  (1995 -
2019 ) 
 
 
1.8.  When looking at the annual  break down  of the number of issues raised  and supported by 
Members , we can observe a striking difference between developing and developed  country Members, 
the former supporting STC s in higher numbers than the latter. P articipation of developing country 
Members has been consistent ly higher than that of developed country Members  since 2008  
(Chart s 1.7 and 1.8). Although there may not be a direct  link, a similar pattern was observed for 
regular notifications submitted.10 Finally, regarding  the development status of Members maintaining 
measures subject to  a new STC, we find a similar trend since  2006, although the difference is less 
striking in the last two years  (Chart 1. 9). 
Chart 1.7 – New issues  according to the development status of the Member  raising  the 
STC 
 
 
 
10 See Chart 2 in document G/SPS/GEN/804/Rev.12 . 
Members Raising the Issue Supporting Members Members Maintaining the
Measure257
217252299 424277
1022
1Number of Issues
Developed Economies Developing Countries Least-developed countries Developed Members Developing MembersMembers raising the issue Supporting Members Members maintaining the 
measure
Least -developed  Members
4101720
9 52129
20
15 1671062 57 8 8 411
4 411421114
552220
12
1116
5610 131812 1016
1715
11 1416
183
111
4
05101520253035404550Number of issues
Developed Members Developing Members Least-developed MembersG/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 8 - 
 
  Chart 1. 8 – New is sues according to the development status of the Member supporting  
the STC  
 
 
Chart 1.9 – New issues according to the development status of the Member maintaining  
the measure  subject to an STC  
 
 
1.9.  A total of 65 Members have raised at least one STC since 1995. A total of 62 Members ' 
measures have been subject to an STC. Charts 1.10 and 1.11 show the 10 Members that have raised 
the most  new concerns and the 10 Members that have the most  measures subject to an STC , 
respectively,  since 1995 up to the last Committee meeting in November 2019.  
2
1822
451725
16 19
15
4 17108 15 94 3 6 475232226
11025174029
21
22
2961621
11
829
6
533
184211
211
151
05101520253035404550Number of issues
Developed Members Developing Members Least-developed Members
26
1519
55271418
1019
4 39 5117 71274 36 8 829
105
10
58
2916
1214
613 10 1412
9 914
717111610 91
05101520253035404550Number of issues
Developed Members Developing Members Least-developed MembersG/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 9 - 
 
  Chart 1.10 - Members which have raised the most STCs since 1995  
 
 
Chart 1.11 - Members whose measures have been subject  to the most  STC since 1995  
 
 
1.10.   Chart  1.12 shows that out of the 469 STCs raised since 1995, 168 (36%) and 34 (7%) have 
been reported to be resolved and partially resolved , respectively . In the case of the partially resolved 
STCs, trade may have been allowed for selected products or by some of the importing Members 
mainta ining the measure (s) in question.  No solutions have been reported for the remaining  267 
(57%) STCs.  
  
0102030405060708090100
United
StatesEuropean
UnionArgentina Brazil China India Canada Ecuador Chile Colombia
0102030405060708090100
European
UnionUnited
StatesChina Japan Australia Brazil India Indonesia Russian
FederationKoreaG/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 10 - 
 
  Chart 1. 12 – Resolution of STCs  
 
 
1.11.   Chart 1.13  shows the number of times STCs have been raised since 1995. A total of 
289 (61%) have only been raised one or two times, 125 (27%) has been raised three to five times 
and only 5 5 (12%) have been raise more than five times. Of the 267 STCs for which no solution has 
been reported, 128 (48%) have only been raised once (excluding the 5 raised for the first time in 
the last Committee meeting); and 213 (80%) have not been raised again in the last 2 years. Some  
of these STCs may have been resolved without the Committee being informed. Members can report 
on the resolution of STCs under the corresponding agenda item in the SPS Committee.  
Chart 1.13 - Average number of times STCs have been raised since 199511 
 
1.12.   On average, resolved STCs were raised 2.7 times. Of the 16 8 STCs for which a solution has 
been reported, 74 ( 44%) relate to animal health, 50 (30%) to plant health , 38 (2 2%) to food safety, 
and 6 ( 4%) to other concerns.  It is interesting to note that STCs relating to plant health issues 
represent 24% of the total number of STCs raised since 1995 (Chart 1.4 ), while they correspond to 
30% of the STCs reported as resolved. On the contrary, whi le STCs relate to food safety and animal 
health in similar proportion (33% and 36% respectively), STCs relating to animal health represent 
double (44%) of the STCs reported as resolved compared to those relating to food safety  (22%). 
These statistics  are summarized in Table 1.1. 
 
11 Please note that these data do not provide any temporary framework on when the STCs were raised.  
267 (57%) 168 (36%)34 (7%)
No solution reported
Solution reported
Partial solution reported
289 ( 61% )125 ( 27% )55 (12% )
1-2 times
3-5 times
>5 timesG/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 11 - 
 
  Table 1.1 contains statistics relevant to the resolution of STCs  (total, partial or not reported), 
according to the primary subject keyword of the STC.  
 
Table 1.1 - Summary of statistics on resolution of STCs  
Primary 
keyword subject  Food safety  Animal health  Plant health  Other concerns  All STCs  
All STCs  155 (33%)  170 (36%)  111 (24%)  33 (7%)  469 
Number of times 
raised (average)  3.1 2.9 2.7 2.8 2.9 
STCs reported as 
Resolved (R)  38 (22%)  74 (44%)  50 (30%)  6 (4%)  168 (36%)  
Number of times 
resolved STCs 
have been raised  3.1 4.9 2.8 3.3 2.7 
Partially resolved 
(PR) STCs  12 (36%)  11 (33%)  8 (24%)  2 (7%) 33 (7%)  
STCs for which no 
solution has been 
reported (NR)  105 (39%)  85 (3 2%) 52 (20%) 25 (9%) 267 (57%)  
 G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 12 - 
 
  2  SPECIFIC TRADE CONCE RNS CONSIDERED IN 2019  
2.1.  A total of 40 STCs were brought to the attention of the Committee during 2019, of which 
17 were new STCs (Table 2. 2) and 23 had been raised  previously . In addition, four STCs raised for 
the first time in 2019 were again discussed  in subsequen t meetings during the same year 
(Table 2.3). Throughout 2019 , two STCs (N° 411 and N° 421) were reported as resolved and 
substantive action occurred under the DSU  in the case of three other STCs  (N° 359, N° 369 and 
N° 394) (Table 2. 4). Finally, Table 2. 5 presents STCs according to the Member(s) maintaining the 
measures at issue, by alphabetical order.  
2.2.  Out of the 40 STCs raised in 2019 , 19 (47%) relate to food safety, six (15%) to plant health 
and six (15%) to other c oncerns. The remaining nine STCs (2 3%) relate to animal health and 
zoonoses12, although this category includes issues that are also relevant from a food safety 
perspective.  Chart  2.1 shows all new and previous  STCs raised in the Committee  in 2019  compared 
to all STCs discussed between 1995 and 2018 , by primary subject keyword s assigned . 
Chart 2.1 – New and previous STCs raised in 2019, by p rimary subject keyword s, 
compared to the all STCs  raised  between 1995 and 201 8 (percentage)  
 
 
2.3.  Regarding  the development status of Members participating in the STCs  in 2019 , Chart 2. 2 
shows the same trends observed since 200813, where developing country Members have raised and 
supported a higher number of issues than developed country Members, and  also maintain more 
measures subject to an STC.  
  
 
12 Three STCs refer to av ian influenza, two refer to BSE, one to classical swine fever, one to African 
swine fever, one to foot and mouth disease, and one to blue tongue.  
13 See paragraph 1.8 above.  
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%
Food safety Animal health Plant health Other concerns
Total STCs 1995-2018 2019 (New STCs) 2019 (Previously raised STCs)G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 13 - 
 
  Chart 2.2 - Participation of Members in STCs in 2019  
 
 
2.4.  Since STCs  can be raised or supported by more than one Member, the number of issues is 
generally much higher than the number of STCs raised.14 Table 2.1 summarizes the number of 
Members participating  in the STCs, either raising or su pporting, or maintaining the measure subject 
to an STC . For instance, of the 40 STCs that were discussed in 2019, 25 were raised by 42 developing 
country Members, 20 were raised by 22 developed country Members and two were raised by three 
least-developed c ountry Members. F urther information on the Members raising and supporting a 
concern, or maintaining measures subject to concerns, is detailed in Tables 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4. It is 
interesting to note that  only one (6%) of the 17 new STCs and five (22%) of the 23 previously raised 
STCs in 2019 were simultaneously raised by developing and developed Members . Three new STCs  
and four previously raised STCs have gathered the support of more than ten Members.   
Table 2.1 – Participation of Members in STCs, by development status  
 Raised by  Supported by  Maintained by  
 STCs Members  STCs Members  STCs Members  
Developed country Members  20 22 13 23 17 17 
Developing  country  Members  25 42 18 98 22 22 
Least -developed country Members  2 3 4 17 0 0 
 
 
14 See footnote 3.  
Members maintaining the measureSupporting MembersMembers raising the issue
0173
229842
172322Number of  Members
Developed Members Developing Members Least-developed Members 
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 14 - Table 2.2 – STCs raised for the first time in 201915 
STC 
number  Title Relevant documents  Raised by  Supported by  Maintained 
by Primary 
subject 
keyword  First raised 
(subsequently 
raised)  Status16 
453 EU restrictions on the 
use of chlorothalonil 
(pesticide active 
substance)  G/TBT/N/EU/625 ; 
G/SPS/GEN/1695  Colombia  Bolivi a, Plurinational 
State of; Brazil; Chile; 
Costa Rica; Ecuador; 
Guatemala; Honduras; 
Panama; Paraguay; 
Turkey; United States 
of America  European 
Union  Food safety  21/03/2019  
(0 times) NR 
454 EU transitional periods 
for MRLs and 
international 
consultations  G/SPS/GEN/1697 ; 
G/SPS/N/EU/264/Add.1 ; 
G/SPS/N/EU/248  Colombia  Brazil ; Chile; China; 
Costa Rica; Ecuador; 
Guatemala; Honduras; 
Panama; Paraguay; 
Peru; Turkey; United 
States of America  European 
Union  Food safety  21/03/2019  
(1 time)  NR 
455 Indonesia's un due 
delay in authorization 
procedures for beef  Raised orally  Brazil  Philippines  Indonesia  Food safety  21/03/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
456 Korea's import 
restrictions on poultry 
due to highly 
pathogenic avian 
influenza  Raised orally  European Union  Russian Federation  Korea, 
Republic of  Animal 
health  21/03/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
457 EU amendments of 
MRLs for imazalil  G/SPS/N/EU/319 ; 
G/SPS/GEN/1707 ; 
G/SPS/GEN/1707/Add.1  Colombia; Costa 
Rica; Côte 
d'Ivoire; 
Dominican 
Republic; 
Ecuador  Brazil; Cameroon; 
Guatemala; Honduras; 
Jamaica; Nicaragua; 
Panama; Peru; 
Senegal; United States 
of America; Uruguay  European 
Union  Food safety  18/07/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
458 EU regulatory process 
for determining 
maximum levels of 
glycidyl fatty acid 
esters, 3 -
monochloropropanediol  
(3-MCPD) and its fatty 
acid esters, in foods or 
food ingredients  G/SPS/GEN/1708  Colombia  Costa Rica; Côte 
d'Ivoire; Ecuador; 
Guatemala; Honduras; 
Malaysia  European 
Union  Food safety  18/07/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
 
15 Please note that a hyperlink in the ID number redirects to the corresponding STC in the SPS IMS for further details on the concern . 
16 NR : Not reported  ; PR : Partially resolved  ; R : Resolved .  
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 15 - STC 
number  Title Relevant documents  Raised by  Supported by  Maintained 
by Primary 
subject 
keyword  First raised 
(subsequently 
raised)  Status16 
459 New EU MRLs for 
lambda -cyhalothrin  Raised orally  China   European 
Union  Food safety  18/07/2019  
(1 time)  NR 
460 China's restrictions on 
imports of US beef  Raised orally  United States of 
America   China  Animal 
health  18/07/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
461 Turkey's FMD -related 
import restrictions on 
live cattle  G/SPS/N/TUR/58  Argentina   Turkey  Animal 
health  18/07/2019  
(1 time)  NR 
462 Viet Nam's general 
restrictions on imports 
(melons, live cattle, 
beef, and meat and 
bone meal)  G/SPS/N/VNM/105  Brazil   Viet Nam  Other 
concerns  18/07/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
463 Ukraine's restrictions 
on swine products  Raised orally  Brazil   Ukraine  Animal 
health  18/07/2019  
(1 time)  NR 
464 Japan's restrictions on 
avocado  Raised orally  Brazil   Japan  Plant health  18/07/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
465 Thailand's approval 
procedures for imports 
of pork and other 
animal products  G/SPS/N/THA/243 ; 
G/SPS/N/THA/244  Brazil; European 
Union   Thailand  Other 
concerns  07/11/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
466 The Philippines' trade 
restrictions on imports 
of meat  Raised orally  European Union   Philippines  Animal 
health  07/11/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
467 EU sanitary 
requirement for 
importation of hoof and 
horn Raised orally  Indonesia   European 
Union  Other 
concerns  07/11/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
468 The Russian 
Federation's maximum 
limit of 3 -
monochloropropanediol 
(3MCPD) and glycidyl 
ester (GE) in palm oil 
products  G/SPS/N/RUS/152  Indonesia  Colombia; Malaysia  Russian 
Federation  Food safety  07/11/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
469 EU Regulation on high 
risk plants (Regulation 
(EU) 2016/2031)  G/SPS/N/EU/272 ; 
G/SPS/GEN/1748  Israel  Canada; Kenya; Unite d 
States of America  European 
Union  Plant health  07/11/2019  
(0 times)  NR 
  
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 16 - Table 2 .3 - STCs  previously r aised and discussed again in 201917 
STC 
number  Title Relevant documents  Raised by  Supported by  Maintained 
by Primary  
subject 
keyword  First raised 
(subsequently 
raised)  Status19 
184 China's AQSIQ official 
certification requirements 
for food imports 
(G/TBT/N/CHN/1209) 
(previously raised as Lack 
of transparency for certain 
SPS mea sures)  G/SPS/N/CHN/22 ; 
G/TBT/N/CHN/1209  Israel; U nited 
States of 
America  Australia; Canada; 
Chile; Costa Rica; 
European Union; 
Guatemala; Japan; 
Korea, Republic of; 
Mexico; Norway; 
Singapore; 
Switzerland; Thailand  China  Other 
concerns  01/03/2004  
(7 times)  
 NR 
193 General import restrictions 
due to BSE  Raised orally  European 
Union; 
United States 
of America  Canada; Switzerland; 
Uruguay  Unspecified  Animal 
health  01/06/2004  
(37 times)  PR 
382 European Union revised 
proposal for categorization 
of compounds as 
endocrine disruptors  G/SPS/GEN/1448 ; 
G/SPS/N/EU/166 ; 
G/SPS/N/EU/166/Add.1 ; 
G/SPS/N/EU/166/Add.2 ; 
G/SPS/GEN/1494/Rev.1 ; 
G/TBT/N/EU/554 ; 
G/SPS/N/EU/263  Argentina; 
China; India; 
United S tates 
of America  Australia; Benin; 
Brazil; Burkina Faso; 
Burundi; Canada; 
Central African 
Republic; Chile; 
Colombia; Costa Rica; 
Dominican Republic; 
Ecuador; Egypt; El 
Salvador; The 
Gambia; Ghana; 
Guatemala; Guinea; 
Honduras; Indonesia; 
Jamaica; Kenya; 
Korea, Republic of; 
Madagascar; Malaysia; 
Mexico; New Zealand; 
Nigeria; Pakistan; 
Panama; Paraguay; 
Peru; Philippines; 
Senegal; Sierra Leone; 
South Africa; Chinese 
Taipei; Thailand; 
Togo; Uruguay; Viet 
Nam; Zambia  European 
Union  Food safety  25/03/2014  
(15 times)  
 NR 
386 Mexico's measures on 
imports of hibiscus flowers  Raised orally  Nigeria ; 
Senegal  Burkina Faso  Mexico  Plant health  26/03/2015  
(2 times) PR 
 
17 Please note that a hyperlink in the ID number redirects to the corresponding STC in the SPS IMS for further details on the co ncern .  
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 17 - STC 
number  Title Relevant documents  Raised by  Supported by  Maintained 
by Primary  
subject 
keyword  First raised 
(subsequently 
raised)  Status19 
390 The Russian Federation's 
import restrictions on 
processed fishery products 
from Estonia and Latvia  Raised orally  European 
Union   Russian 
Federation  Food safety  15/07/2015  
(12 times)  
 NR 
395 China's proposed 
amendments to the 
implementation 
regulations on safety 
assessment of agricultural 
GMOs  G/SPS/N/CHN/881  Paraguay; 
United States 
of America   China  Food safety  15/07/2015  
(9 times)  NR 
406 China's import restrictions 
due to Highly Pathogenic 
Avian Influenza  Raised orally  European 
Union; 
United States 
of America   China  Animal 
health  16/03/2016  
(11 times)  NR 
413 Guatemala's restrictions 
on egg products  Raised orally  Mexico   Guatemala  Food safety  27/10/2016  
(3 times)  NR 
414 Indonesia's food safety 
measures affecting 
horticultural products and 
animal products  Raised orally  Philippines   Indonesia  Food safety  27/10/2016  
(2 times)  NR 
422 France's dimethoate -
related restrictions on 
imports   United States 
of America  Argentina; Canada; 
Turkey  European 
Union  Food safety  13/07/2017  
(4 times)  NR 
427 India's fumigation 
requirements for cashew 
nuts  Madagascar; 
Senegal  Burkina Faso; 
Colombia; Ghana; 
Kenya; Mali; 
Mozambique; Nigeria; 
Russian Federation; 
Togo; Ukraine; United 
States of America  India Plant health  13/07/2017  
(4 times)  NR 
431 South Africa's import 
restrictions on poultry due 
to Highly Pathogenic Avian 
Influenza  Raised orally  European 
Union   South Africa  Animal 
health  02/11/2017  
(6 times)  NR 
432 EU restrictions on poultry 
meat due to Salmonella 
detection  Raised orally  Brazil   European 
Union  Food safety  02/11/2017  
(3 times)  NR 
438 Viet Nam's market access 
requirements for ''white'' 
offals  Raised orally  United States 
of America  New Zealand  Viet Nam  Other 
concerns  01/03/2018  
(1 time)  NR 
439 US import restrictions on 
apples and pears  Raised orally  European 
Union   United 
States of 
America  Plant health  01/03/2018  
(5 times)  NR  
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 18 - STC 
number  Title Relevant documents  Raised by  Supported by  Maintained 
by Primary  
subject 
keyword  First raised 
(subsequently 
raised)  Status19 
440 New Zealand's draft import 
health standard for 
vehicles, machinery and 
equipment  G/SPS/N/NZL/570 ; 
G/SPS/N/NZL/570/Add.1  Japan  New Zealand  Plant health  12/07/2018  
(2 times)  NR 
441 Lack of transparency and 
undue delays in 
Indonesia's approval 
procedures for animal 
products  G/SPS/N/IDN/121  European 
Union Brazil  Indonesia  Other 
concerns  12/07/2018  
(4 times)  NR 
442 EU Commission Decision 
2002/994/EC on animal 
products  Raised orally  China   European 
Union  Food safety  12/07/2018  
(4 times)  NR 
446 EU review of legislation on 
veterinary medicinal 
products  Raised orally  Argentina; 
United States 
of America  Australia; Brazil; 
Canada; Chile; 
Colombia; Par aguay  European 
Union  Food safety  12/07/2018  
(2 times)  NR 
447 New EU definition of the 
fungicide folpet  Raised orally  China   European 
Union  Food safety  12/07/2018  
(4 times)  NR 
448 EU MRLs for buprofezin, 
chlorothalonil, 
diflubenzuron, 
ethoxysulfuron, 
glufosinate, imazalil, 
ioxynil, iprodione, 
molinate, picoxystrobin 
and tepraloxydim  G/SPS/N/EU/264 : 
G/TBT/N/EU/418 ; 
G/TBT/N/EU/447 ; 
G/TBT/N/EU/437 ; 
G/C/W/76 7/Rev.1 ; 
G/SPS/GEN/1740/Rev.1  Colombia; 
Costa Rica; 
Côte d'Ivoire; 
Ecuad or; 
Guatemala; 
India; 
Panama; 
Paraguay; 
United States 
of America  Argentina; Brazil; 
Canada; Chile; 
Dominican Republic; El 
Salvador; Honduras; 
Nicaragua; Peru; 
Turkey; Uruguay  European 
Union  Food safety  01/11/2018  
(3 times)  NR 
449 The Russian Federation's 
bluetongue -related import 
restriction on ruminants  Raised orally  European 
Union   Russian 
Federation  Animal 
health  01/11/2018  
(2 times)  NR 
450 Viet Nam's import 
restrictions in the draft law 
of animal production  G/SPS/N/VNM/82 ; 
G/SPS/N/VNM/95 ; 
G/SPS/N/VNM/95/Add.2  United St ates 
of America  Canada; Paraguay  Viet Nam  Food safety  01/11/2018  
(1 time)  NR 
454a EU transitional periods for 
MRLs and international 
consultations  
 G/SPS/GEN/1697 ; 
G/SPS/N/EU/264/Add.1 ; 
G/SPS/N/EU/248  Colombia  Brazil; Chil e; China; 
Costa Rica; Ecuador; 
Guatemala; Honduras; 
Panama; Paraguay; 
Peru; Turkey; United 
States of America  European 
Union  Food safety  21/03/2019  
(1 time)  NR 
459a New EU MRLs for lambda -
cyhalothrin  Raised orally  China   European 
Union  Food safety  18/07/2019  
(1 time)  NR  
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 19 - STC 
number  Title Relevant documents  Raised by  Supported by  Maintained 
by Primary  
subject 
keyword  First raised 
(subsequently 
raised)  Status19 
461a Turkey's FMD -related 
import restrictions on live 
cattle  G/SPS/N/TUR/58  Argentina   Turkey Animal 
health  18/07/2019  
(1 time)  NR 
463a Ukraine's restrictions on 
swine products  Raised orally  Brazil   Ukraine  Animal 
health  18/07/2019  
(1 time)  NR 
a STCs raised for the first time in 2019 and discussed again in subsequent meetings during the same year.    
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 20 - Table 2.4 - STCs where substantive action occurred under the DSU  in 2019  or reported as resolved  (R) or  partially resolved  (PR), not 
reported as resolved (NR)18 
STC 
number  Title Relevant documents  Raised by  Supported 
by Maintained 
by Primary subject 
keyword  First raised 
(subsequently 
raised)  Status  
359b Strengthened import 
restrictions on food and 
feeds products with regard 
to radionuclides  Raised orally  Japan   Korea, 
Republic of  Food safety  16/10/2013  
(4 times)  NR / DS 495  
369b Russia's measures on live 
pigs and pork products 
due to African Swine Fever  G/SPS/GEN/1305 , 
G/SPS/GEN/1313 , 
G/SPS/GEN/1315 , 
G/SPS/N/RUS/48 , 
G/SPS/N/RUS/49  European 
Union   Russian 
Federation  Animal health  25/03/2014  
(0 times)  NR / DS 475  
394b Costa Rica's suspension of 
the issuing of 
phytosanitary import 
certificates for avocados  G/SPS/N/CRI/160 , 
G/SPS/N/CRI/160/Add.1 , 
G/SPS/N/CRI/162  Guatemala; 
Mexico  Costa Rica  Plant health  15/07/2015  
(4 times)  NR / DS 524  
411 Russian Federation import 
restrictions on certain 
animal products from 
Germany  G/SPS/GEN/1216  European 
Union   Russian 
Federation  Food safety  30/06/2016  
(7 times)  R 
(18/07/2019)  
421 Thailand's import 
restriction on papaya 
seeds  G/SPS/N/THA/158  Chinese 
Taipei  Thailand   22/03/2017  
(5 times)  R 
(07/11/2019)  
b Panel proceedings occurred in the context of the WTO dispute settlement system. For more information, see https://www.wto.org/engl ish/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_e.htm . 
 
  
 
18 Please note that a hyperlink in the ID number redirects to the corresponding STC in the SPS IMS for further details on the  concern.   
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 21 - Table 2. 5 - Members  maintaining measures subject to STCs  (new or old) in 2019, in alphabetical order19  
Member 
maintaining the 
measure  STC number  Title Raised by  Primary subject 
keyword  First raised 
(subsequently raised)  
China 184 China's AQSIQ official certification 
requirements for food imports 
(G/TBT/N/CHN/1209) (previously raised as 
Lack of transparency for certain SPS 
measures)  Israel; United States of Am erica Other concerns  01/03/2004  
(7 times)  
China 395 China's proposed amendments to the 
implementation regulations on safety 
assessment of agricultural GMOs  Paraguay; United States of America  Food safety  15/07/2015  
(9 times)  
China 406 China's import restrictions due to Highly 
Pathogenic Avian Influenza  European Union; United States of 
America  Animal healt h 16/03/2016  
(11 times)  
China 460c China's restrictions on imports of US beef  United States of America  Animal health  18/07/2019  
(0 times)  
European Union  382 European Union legislation on endocrine 
disruptors  Argentina; China; Ecuador; 
Guatemala; India; Panama; 
Paraguay; United States of America  Food safety  25/03/2014  
(15 times)  
European  Union 422 France's dimethoate -related restrictions on 
imports  United States of America  Food safety  13/07/2017  
(4 times)  
European Union  432 EU restrictions on poultry meat due to 
Salmonella detection  Brazil Food safety  02/11/2017  
(3 times)  
European Union  442 EU Commission Decision 2002/994/EC on 
animal products  China Food safety  12/07/2018  
(4 times)  
European Union  446 EU review of legislation on veterinary 
medicinal products  Argentina; United States of 
America  Food safety  12/07/2018  
(2 times)  
European Union  447 New EU definition of the fungicide folpet  China Food safety  12/07/2018  
(4 times)  
European Union  448 EU MRLs for buprofezin, chlorothalonil, 
diflubenzuron, ethoxysulfuron, glufosinate, 
imazalil, ioxynil, iprodione, molinate, 
picoxystrobin and tepraloxydim  Colombia; Costa Rica; Côte 
d'Ivoire; Ecuador; Guatemala; 
India; Panama; Paraguay; United 
States of America  Food safety  01/11/2018  
(3 times)  
European Union  453c EU restrictions on the use of chlorothalonil 
(pesticide active substance)  Colombia  Food safety  21/03/2019  
(0 times)  
European Union  454c EU transitional periods for MRLs and 
international consultations  Colombia  Food safety  21/03/2019  
(1 time)  
European Union  457c EU amendments of MRLs for imazalil  Colombia; Costa Rica; Côte 
d'Ivoire; Dominican Republic; 
Ecuador  Food safety  18/07/2019  
(0 times)  
 
19 Please note that a hyperlink in the ID number redirects to the corresponding STC in the SPS IMS for further details on the co ncern.   
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 22 - Member 
maintaining the 
measure  STC number  Title Raised by  Primary subject 
keyword  First raised 
(subsequently raised)  
European Union  458c EU regulatory process for determining 
maximum levels of glycidyl fatty acid esters, 
3-monochloropropanediol (3 -MCPD) and its 
fatty acid esters, in foods or food ing redients  Colombia  Food safety  18/07/2019  
(0 times)  
European Union  459c New EU MRLs for lambda -cyhalothrin  China Food safety  18/07/2019  
(1 time)  
European Union  467c EU sanitary requirement for importation of 
hoof and horn  Indonesia  Other concerns  07/11/2019  
(0 times)  
European Union  469c EU Regulation on high risk plants (Regulation 
(EU) 2016/2031)  Israel Plant health  07/11/2019  
(0 times)  
Guatemala  413 Guatemala's restrictions on egg products  Mexico  Food safety  27/10/2016  
(3 times)  
India 427 India's fumigation requirements for cashew 
nuts Madagascar; Senegal  Plant health  13/07/2017  
(4 times)  
Indonesia  414 Indonesia's food safety measures affecting 
horticultural products and animal products  Philippines  Food safety  27/10/2016  
(2 times)  
Indonesia  441 Lack of transparency and undue delays in 
Indonesia's approval procedures for animal 
products  European Union  Other concerns  12/07/2018  
(4 times)  
Indonesia  455c Indonesia's undue delay in authorization 
procedures for beef  Brazil Food safety  21/03/2019  
(0 times)  
Japan 464c Japan's restrictions on avocado  Brazil Plant health  18/07/2019  
(0 times)  
Japan 193 General import restrictions due to BSE  European Union; United States of 
America  Animal health  01/06/2004  
(37 times)  
Korea, Republic of  456c Korea's import restrictions on poultry due to 
highly pathogenic avian influenza  European Union  Animal health  21/03/2019  
(0 times)  
Korea, Republic of  193 General import restrictions due to BSE  European Union; United States of 
America  Animal health  01/06/2004  
(37 times)  
Mexico  386 Mexico's measures on imports of hibiscus 
flowers  Nigeria; Senegal  Plant health  26/03/2015  
(2 times)  
New Zealand  440 New Zealand's draft import health standard 
for vehicles, machinery and equipment  Japan Plant health  12/07/2018  
(2 times)  
Philippines  466c The Philippines' trade restrictions on imports 
of meat  European Union  Animal health  07/11/2019  
(0 times)  
Russian 
Federation  390 The Russian Federation's import restrictions 
on processed fishery products from Estonia 
and Latvia  European Union  Food safety  15/07/2015  
(12 times)  
Russian 
Federation  449 The Russian Federation's bluetongue -related 
import restriction on ruminants  European Union  Animal health  01/11/2018  
(2 times)  
Russian 
Federation  468c The Russian Federation's maximum limit of 3 -
monochloropropanediol (3MCPD) and glycidyl 
ester (GE) in palm oil products  Indonesia  Food safety  07/11/2019  
(0 times)   
  G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev. 20 
 
- 23 - Member 
maintaining the 
measure  STC number  Title Raised by  Primary subject 
keyword  First raised 
(subsequently raised)  
South Africa  431 South Africa's import restrictions on poultry 
due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza  European Union  Animal health  02/11/2017  
(6 times)  
Chinese Taipei  193 General import restrictions due to BSE  European Union; United States of 
America  Animal health  01/06/2004  
(37 times)  
Thailand  465c Thailand's approval procedures for imports of 
pork and other animal products  Brazil; European Union  Other concerns  07/11/2019  
(0 times)  
Turkey  461c Turkey's FMD -related import restrictions on 
live cattle  Argentina  Animal health  18/07/2019  
(1 time)  
Ukraine  463c Ukraine's restrictions on swine products  Brazil Animal health  18/07/2019  
(1 time) 
United States of 
America  439 US import restrictions on apples and pears  European Union  Plant health  01/03/2018  
(5 times)  
Viet Nam  438 Viet Nam's market access requirements for 
''white'' offals  United States of America  Other concerns  01/03/2018  
(1 time)  
Viet Nam  450 Viet Nam's import restrictions in the draft law 
of animal production  United States of America  Food safety  01/11/2018  
(1 time)  
Viet Nam  462c Viet Nam's general restrictions on imports 
(melons, live cattle, beef, and meat and bone 
meal) Brazil Other concerns  18/07/2019  
(0 times)  
Certain Members  193 General import restrictions due to BSE  European Union; United States of 
America  Animal health  01/06/2004  
(37 times)  
c STCs raised for the first time in 2019.  
 
 
__________