G/SPS/N/MEX/236  
26 April 2013  
(13-2217)  Page: 1/3  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: Spanish  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES 
1. Notifying Member:  MEXICO 
If applicable, name of local government involved:  
2. Agency responsible:  Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y 
Alimentación , SAGARPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries 
and Food) 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item  number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS num bers should be provided in addition, 
where applicable): Shrimps (live, raw, cooked, freeze-dried or in any other form of 
presentation) of the species Penaeus monodon and Litopenaeus vannamei  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected , to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[ ] All trading partners [X] Specific regions or countries: China, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam  
5. Title of the notified document: Suspensión Temporal de las Importaciones de Crustáceo 
de Países con Síndrome de Mortalidad Temprana (SMT) o Síndrome de la Necrosis Aguda 
del Hepatopáncreas, AHPNS  (Temporary suspension of imports of crustaceans 
from countries affected by Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) or Acute Hepatopancreatic 
Necrosis Syndrome (AHPNS). Language(s):  Spanish Number of pages: 1 
Text available at: http://www.senasica.g ob.mx/?IdNot=1406  
6. Description of content: The notified text establishes a temporary suspension of imports 
of shrimps (live, raw, cooked, freeze-dried or in any other form of presentation) of 
the species Penaeus monodon and Litopenaeus vannamei  from affected countries 
(China, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam) in order to prevent the above-mentioned disease 
from being introduced into Mexican national territory. Producers in countries free from the 
disease who wish to export the said products will be required to certify that the shrimps originate in and come from countries where presence of the syndrome has not been 
reported. 
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.  G/SPS/N/MEX/236 
- 2 - 
  8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: This precautionary 
measure is in response to the presence in the above-mentioned Asiatic countries of a 
new disease affecting shrimps, known as Early Mortality Syndrome (EMS) or 
Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Syndrome (AHPNS), as confirmed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). 
The syndrome, which causes mass mortalities of up to 100% of crustaceans, appeared 
in shrimp farms in southern China and subsequently spread to Malaysia, Thailand 
and Vietnam. This disease manifests itself 20-30 days after stocking and affects the black tiger and Pacific white species in particular. 
In order to prevent this disease from being introduced into Mexican national territory and 
to safeguard the Mexican aquaculture shrimp industry, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food ordered a temporary suspension 
of imports of shrimps (live, raw, cooked, freeze-dried or in any other form of presentation) 
of the black tiger ( Penaeus monodon ) and Pacific white ( Litopenaeus vannamei ) species 
from China, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. The measure also covers exports from unaffected countries wishing to market their products in Mexico; such countries 
are required to certify that their shrimps orig inate in and come from disease-free regions. 
9. Is there a relevant international stan dard? If so, identify the standard: 
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text)  
[ ] World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number)  
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)  
[X] None 
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: National 
Agriculture and Food Health, Safety and Quality Service ( Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, 
Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria , SENASICA) 
Website: http://www.senasica.g ob.mx/?IdNot=1406  (available in Spanish). 
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
15 April 2013 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure  
12. Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [ ] Nati onal Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point.  Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
Any questions regarding the importation of the above species, products and by-products 
which originate in Asian countries not affected by Early Mortality Syndrome should be 
submitted in writing (original) for consideration to: 
Dirección de Sanidad Acuícola y Pesquera 
Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria, SENASICA 
Av. Cuauhtémoc núm. 1230, piso 9 Col. Santa Cruz Atoyac, Del. Benito Juárez G/SPS/N/MEX/236 
- 3 - 
  13. Texts available from: [X] National Noti fication Authority, [ ] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:  
Subsecretaría de Competitividad y Normatividad 
Dirección General de Normas Av. Puente de Tecamachalco 6, Piso 2, Lomas de Tecamachalco Sección Fuentes, C.P. 53950 
Naucalpan de Juárez, Estado de México 
Tel.: (+52) 55 5729-9100, Ext. 43220 E-mail: normasomc@economia.gob.mx  
Website: http://www.senasica.gob.mx/?IdNot=1406