G/SPS/N/SYC/2  
 
18 May 2017  
(17-2679) Page: 1/3 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMER GENCY MEASURES  
1. Notifying Member : SEYCHELLES  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:   
National Biosecurity Agency  
Plant Biosecurity Services  
P.O. Box 464, Bel Air Complex,  Victoria  
Republic of Seychelles  
Tel: +(248) 4 324 000  
E-mail: ceo@nba.gov.sc  
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):  
Tomatoes fresh – 0702.0000  
Other relevant host : 
 Benincasa hispida  (wax gourd) – 0807.1990  
 Borassus flabellifer  (toddy palm) – 0802.9021 and 0802.9022  
 Capsicum annuum  (bell pepper) – 0709.6010 and 0709.6090  
 Citrullus lanatus  (watermelon) – 0807.1100 and 0807. 1990 
 Cucumis Melo  (melon) – 0807.1990  
 Cucumis sativus  (cucumber) – 0707.0000  
 Cucurbita Maxima  (giant pumpkin) – 0709.9090  
 Cucurbita moschata  (pumpkin) – 0709.9090  
 Cucurbita pepo  (marrow) – 0709.9090  
 Dimocarpus longan  ( longan tree) – 0810.9090  
 Ficus racemo sa (cluster tree) – 0804.2010  
 Luffa acutangula  (angled luffa) – 0709.9090  
 Luffa aegyptiaca  (loofah) – 0709.9090  
 Mangifera indica  (mango) – 0804.5010  
 Manilkara Zapota  (sapodilla) – 0810.9090  
 Momordica charantia  (bitter gourd) – 0709.9090  
 Passiflora edulis  (passion fruit) – 0810.9090  
 Phaseolus vulgaris  (common bean) – 0708.2000  
 Psidium guajava  (guava) – 0804.5090  
 Trichosanthes cucumerina  (snake gourd) – 0709.9090  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[ ] All trading partners   
[X] Specific regions or countries: Sri Lanka  
5. Title of the notified document : Temporary r estrictions on importation of fresh 
tomatoes and other relevant host . Language (s): . Number of pages:   G/SPS/N/SYC/2  
 
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  6. Description of content: The notice relate s to the decision taken for a temporary 
restriction on the importation of tomato and other relevant host (as listed in section 3) 
from Sri Lanka due to non -compliance with the phytosanitary requirements of the 
Seychelles.  
The National Biosecurity Agency (N BA) of Seychelles will no longer be issuing Plant 
Import Permit for the importation of fresh tomato and other relevant host (as listed in 
section 3) from Sri Lanka.  
7. Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [ ] animal health, [X] plant protection,  
[ ] protect humans fro m animal/plant pest or disease, [X]  protect territory 
from other damage from pest s.  
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action:  
Urgent measure have been implemented to managed phytosanitary risk associated with 
the presence Bactrocera  (Zeugodacus ) tau (fruit fly) in Sri Lanka.  
The decision has been taken following the recent incidence of imported infested tomato 
consignment from Sri Lanka. Upon inspection and verification of the consignment by the 
authorized Biosecu rity Officers, the imported tomato were found to be infested with live 
fruit fly larvae.  
The laboratory result shows that the imported tomato were infested with live larvae of 
fruit fly pest species suspected to be Bactrocera  (Zeugodacus ) tau, which is not  present 
in Seychelles and it is categorized as a regulated/quarantine pest with economic 
importance. If the intercepted fruit fly pest species is established in Seychelles, it would 
be extremely difficult, if not impossible to deal with it consequences wh en taking into 
consideration factors cost implication, favourable climatic conditions and host 
availability.  
It is very important to comply with phytosanitary requirements/conditions of Seychelles 
in order to prevent the introduction and spread of regulate d/quarantine pests, diseases 
and/or invasive Alien Species (AIS) in trade for better Protecting the Agricultural, 
Development and Forestry Resources, Ecological, Diversity and the Environment of 
Seychelles.  
9. Is there a relevant international standard? I f so, identify the standard :  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text ):  
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)  (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :  
[X] Internat ional Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :  
1. Guidelines for Pest Risk Analysis (ISPM No. 2)  
2. Guidelines for the notification of non -compli ance and emergency action 
(ISPM  No.13)  
3. Guidelines for lists of regulated pests (ISPM No. 19)  
4. Guidelines for i nspection (ISPM No. 23)  
5. Guidelines for Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests (ISPM No. 27)  
[ ] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the re levant international standard?  
[X] Yes   [ ] No 
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviate s from the 
international standard :  
10. Other r elevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:    G/SPS/N/SYC/2  
 
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  11. Date of entry into force  (dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
2 May 2017  
[ ] Trade facilit ating  measure   
12. Agency or auth ority designated to handle comments : [X]  National Notification 
Authority, [ ] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
Trade Division  
Ministry of Finance, Trade and Economic Planning  
P.O.Box 313, Victori a, Mahe  
Republic of Seychelles  
E-mail: enquirywto@finance.gov.sc  
Website: http://www.seychellestradeportal.gov.sc    
13. Text(s)  available from:  [X] National Notification Authority, [  ] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:  
Trade Division  
Ministry of Finance, Trade and Economic Planning  
P.O.Box 313, Victoria, Mahe  
Republic of Seychelles  
E-mail: enquirywto@finance.gov.sc  
Website: http://www.seychellestradeportal.gov.sc