G/SPS/GEN/1778  
G/TBT/GEN/296   
12 May 2020  
(20-3565)  Page: 1/2 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade  Original: Spanish  
 
  
REQUEST  FOR THE SUSPENSION OF THE PROCESSES  AND ENTRY INTO FORCE  OF 
REDUCTIONS  OF MAXIMUM  RESIDUE  LEVELS  (MRLs) FOR PLANT PROTECTION 
PRODUCTS  IN LIGHT OF THE  COVID -19 PANDEMIC  
COMMUNICA TION FROM  ARGENTINA,  COLOMBIA , COSTA RICA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, ECUADOR,  
EL SALVADOR,  GUATEMALA,  HONDURAS, ISRAEL,  NICARAGUA,  PANAM A, PARAGUAY  AND PERU  
The following communication , received on 12 May 2020, is being circulated at the request of the  
above -mentioned  delega tions. 
 
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1.  The COVID -19 pandemic is the biggest  global challenge in recent history, which has forced WTO 
Members to focus their efforts on protec ting people's lives, ensuring  public health, and guaranteeing 
food security for their populations. This challenge is greater for developing countries, which generally 
lack the financial and health resources required to address it adequately . Therefore,  international 
cooperation in all areas is crucial for tackling  the crisis and lay ing the groundwork  for a swift 
economic recovery in the post -pandemic period . 
2.  Along these lines , we acknowledge the commitment of several Members , including the European 
Union (EU ), to ensuring the proper fun ctioning of global agricultural and food supply chains  in 
response to the crisis, including through the non -implementation  of unjustified barriers to trade . 
3.  Given that millions of people rely on international trade for their food security and livelihoods, 
measures that facilitate trade will have a significant impact in the fight against the pandemic and its 
consequences. Such measures  will also help to ensure the flow of food and other agricultural 
products, protect the food security of the most vulnerable populations, and provide predictability for 
importers and exporters, thereby ensuring that production chains continue to operate su stainably 
and preventing further job losses and disruptions to supply . 
4.  Under the current circumstances, the  implementation of certain sanitary and phytosanitary 
measures  that create additional restrictions or burdens on international trade in animals, plan ts or 
plant products  constitutes a challenge that h ampers  worldwide economy recovery efforts , especially 
in developing countries. Agricultural producers, particular ly the smalle st, and MSMEs would be  
greatly  affected  by new measures  and more restrictive re quirements for exports, such as the 
reduction of Maximum Residue L evels (MRLs) for plant protection products . 
5.  We recognize that Members have the right to determine the appropriate level of sanitary or 
phytosanitary protection necessary to protect human, an imal and plant life and health, and to 
establish measures to that end.  However, such measures must be science -based  and should not 
create unnecessary barriers to trade . 
6.  In light of this, and given that the EU is the largest common market in the world and the largest 
importer of fruits and vegetables, we request that , for a period of 12 months,  it suspend  all review 
processes currently underway for MRLs, as well as the entry into force of the all MRL reductions 
planned for 2020 . 
7.  During the pandemic and the subsequent recovery period , this request will enable : (i) Members, 
especially developing countries, to focus their efforts on addressing the pandemic and its effects; G/SPS/GEN/1778 • G/TBT/GEN/296  
 
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  (ii) producers , particularly the smallest and most vulnerable , to continue to trade t heir products, 
guaranteeing the flow and supply of food worldwide; and (iii) Members to ensure their effective 
participation and the full exercise of their rights in the WTO, given th at it is  impossib le to continu e 
with day-to-day work in the Organization  until further notice . 
8.  Lastly , we urge all Members currently  in the process of reviewing or modifying MRLs , with a view 
to establishing more restrictive levels, to also consider these requests and to base their MRLs on 
international standards, guidelines an d recommendations . 
 
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