G/SPS/N/ZAF/39  
 
21 August 2015  
(15-4241)  Page: 1/2  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English  
 
  NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES 
1. Notifying Member:  SOUTH AFRICA 
If applicable, name of local government involved:    
2. Agency responsible:  Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item  number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; IC S numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Zea mays (maize) seeds and grains  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected , to the extent relevant or practicable: 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:   
5. Title of the notified document: Emergency Phytosanitary measures to address the 
risk of introduction of Maize Lethal Necrosis on imports of Maize Seeds and Grains from all trading partners  Language(s): English  Number of pages: 5 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/SPS/ZAF/15_3250_00_e.pdf  
6. Description of content: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, South 
Africa is implementing measures to manage the risk of introduction and spread of Maize 
Chlorotic Mottle Virus and Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus that in combination cause Maize 
Lethal Necrosis. Introduction of Emergency Phytosanitary measures for imports of Maize Seeds and Grains from all trading partners due to the identified quarantine risk of 
introducing Maize Lethal Necrosis with imported Maize Seeds and Grains. Exporting 
countries should declare country free from Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus and Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus OR the parent plants were inspected during active growth and found 
free from these pests. 
7. Objective and rationale: [ ] food safety, [ ] animal health, [X] plant protection, 
[ ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [ ] protect territory from 
other damage from pests.   
8. Nature of the urgent problem(s) and reason for urgent action: This is a 
phytosanitary measure following the outbreak and spread of Maize Lethal Necrosis in 
several countries. The disease is not present in South Africa and the listed pests are of quarantine importance. Existing phytosanitary import requirements for Maize Seeds and 
Grains have been updated through a Pest Risk Analysis.  
9. Is there a relevant international stan dard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial  n u m b e r  o f  C o d e x  
standard or related text)   
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number)   G/SPS/N/ZAF/39 
 
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  [X] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number) 
IPPC, Article 7, ISPM No. 2, ISPM No. 11, and ISPM No. 20 
[ ] None 
Does this proposed regulation conform to  the relevant international standard? 
[X] Yes   [ ] No If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
international standard:   
10. Other relevant documents and langua ge(s) in which these are available:      
11. Date of entry into force ( dd/mm/yy )/period of application (as applicable): 
20 August 2015 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Agency or authority designated to hand le comments: [ ] National Notification 
Authority, [X] National Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address 
(if available) of other body:  
Directorate Plant Health  
Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, Private Bag X14, Gezina 0031, Pretoria, 
South Africa  
Fax: +(27 12) 319 6101/6193  E-mail: nppoza@daff.gov.za 
13. Text(s) available from: [ ] National Noti fication Authority, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail a ddress (if available)  of other body:  
Directorate Plant Health 
Department of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries, Private Bag X14, Gezina 0031, Pretoria, 
South Africa  Fax: +(27 12) 319 6101/6193  
E-mail: nppoza@daff.gov.za