G/SPS/GEN/1491  
 
7 June 2016  
(16-3059)  Page: 1/9  
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures    
 
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE IMPL EMENTATION OF ARTICLE 6 
OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE APPLICATION OF SANITARY 
AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 
NOTE BY THE SECRETARIAT1 
Article 6 of the SPS Agreement requires that measures take into account pest- or disease-free 
areas or areas of low pest or disease prevalence. This concept is frequently referred to as 
"regionalization". At the 2-3 April 2008 meeting, the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary 
Measures adopted guidelines to further the practical implementation of Article 6.2 These guidelines 
are intended to provide assistance to Members in  the implementation of Article 6 by improving 
transparency, exchange of information, predictability, confidence and credibility between importing 
and exporting Members. 
 The guidelines require the Secretariat to prepare an annual report to the Committee on 
implementation of Article 6 based on the in formation provided by Members concerning: 
 
a. requests for recognition of pest- or disease-free areas or areas of low pest or disease 
prevalence; 
b. determinations on whether to recognize a pest- or disease-free area or area of low pest 
or disease prevalence; and/or 
c. Members' experiences in the implementation of Article 6 and the provision of relevant 
background information by Members on their decisions to other interested Members. 
This report, which covers the period from 1 April 2015 until 31 March 2016, is based on 
information provided by Members through notifi cations and from information presented during 
SPS Committee meetings. This information was frequently provided under the agenda item "Pest- 
and or Disease-Free Areas - Article 6". Relevant information provided under other agenda items is also included in the report. A list of notifications related to Article 6 is contained in section 4; 
section 5 lists the relevant specific trade concerns. 
 1  REQUESTS FOR RECOGNITION OF PEST- OR DISEASE-FREE AREAS OR AREAS OF LOW PEST OR DISEASE PREVALENCE 
1.1  July 2015 meeting (G/SPS/R/79) 
1.1.  The Chair noted that Morocco had reported in document G/SPS/GEN/1414 that it had been 
recognized as free from African horse sickness by Resolution No. 22 at the 83rd OIE General 
Session in May 2015. 
1.2.  Switzerland reported that it had been declared free from classical swine fever (CSF) and 
classified as having a negligible risk for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) through 
Resolutions Nos. 24 and 21 at the 83
rd OIE General Assembly, as communicated in 
G/SPS/GEN/1420. Switzerland requested WTO Members to lift all restrictions on Swiss products related to both these diseases. 
                                               
1 This document has been prepared under the Secret ariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to thei r rights and obligations under the WTO. 
2 G/SPS/48. G/SPS/GEN/1491 
 
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  1.3.  Chile reported that it had been officially declared free of CSF through Resolution No. 24 at 
the 83rd OIE General Assembly. Chile stated that it had been free of the disease since 1998, when 
it self-declared freedom from CSF (see G/SPS/GEN/81). Chile also highlighted its notification G/SPS/N/CHL/506 of 12 June 2015 on its list of quarantine pests. Chile encouraged Members to 
routinely submit such notifications for transparency purposes even if these lists did not constitute 
SPS measures. Chile suggested that this agenda it em contain updates to this effect in future 
meetings. 
1.4.  Mexico reported that it had been officially declared free of CSF through Resolution No. 24 at 
the 83rd OIE General Assembly. 
1.5.  Ecuador provided information on various pe st- or disease-free areas. Last year, Ecuador had 
been declared free of African horse sickness and peste des petit ruminants. At this year's 83
rd OIE 
General Assembly, the island territory of Galapagos had been recognized as a zone free of FMD 
without vaccination and the area consisting of the mainland as FMD-free with vaccination. Ecuador also provided an update on a national fruit fl y management project that had yielded positive 
results. 
1.2  October 2015 meeting (G/SPS/R/81) 1.6.  Morocco informed the Committee that the Science Commission for Animal Diseases and the 
World Assembly of the OIE Delegates had approved the recognition of Morocco as a country free of 
African horse sickness, according to the OIE Terrestrial Code. The recognition was a result of Morocco's veterinary services' efforts to control and eradicate the disease. This new status would allow for a more fluid flow of trade and increased participation in international horse competitions. 
Morocco thanked the OIE for its help in achieving the status and noted its readiness to respond to 
Members' requests of inspection, as per Article 6 of the SPS Agreement. 
1.7.  Mexico referred to the information contained in various documents it had circulated to 
Members
3, reporting that it was free of velogenic Newcastle disease. After San Luis Potosi state 
had been declared as a zone free of Aujeszky's disease, Mexico was subsequently declared as free of Aujeszky's disease in domestic swine. In addition, certain communities and municipalities of the 
state of Puebla had been declared as areas of low prevalence of Anastrepha fruit flies of quarantine 
significance and Rhagoletis pomonella, and a munici pality and an agro-ecological zone of the state 
of Guerrero had been declared free of small an d large avocado seed we evils and avocado seed 
moths. Lastly, Mexico provided updates on its national tick control campaign. 
1.8.  Canada reported it was considered free of notifiable avian influenza since 8 October 2015 as 
per OIE guidelines. Canada explained that its notifications to the OIE that the province of British Columbia and Ontario were considered free of notifiable avian influenza were based on the 
successful completion of a three-month surveillance  period following the eradication of the disease 
in domestic poultry. Several trading partners had already begun to remove trade restrictions 
imposed on Canadian poultry and poultry products. Canada asked its trading partners to remove 
any remaining restrictions in accordance with science and the OIE guidelines. 
1.9.  India informed the Committee that in May 2015, the OIE had recognized India as having an 
official control programme for FMD in accordance with the OIE Terrestrial Code. 
1.3  March 2016 meeting (G/SPS/R/82) 
1.10.  The European Union informed Members that in December 2015 the OIE had re-instated the 
status of "country with negligible BSE risk" to Romania. The relevant EU legislation was being amended to recognize this change and wo uld be published in the coming weeks. 
                                               
3 G/SPS/GEN/1425, G/SPS/GEN/1406, G/SPS/GE N/1424, G/SPS/GEN/1409 and G/SPS/GEN/1408. G/SPS/GEN/1491 
 
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  2  DETERMINATION ON WHETHER TO RECOGNIZE A PEST- OR DISEASE-FREE AREA OR 
AREA OF LOW PEST OR DISEASE PREVALENCE 
2.1  October 2015 meeting (G/SPS/R/81) 2.1.  Indonesia reported that its National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) had recognized 
California as a pest free area for ni ne species of fruit flies, including Ceratitis capitata  and 
Anastrepha fraterculus . The Indonesian NPPO also recognized Srisaket province of Thailand as free 
of the nematodes Ditylenchus destructor  and fungi Urocystis cepulae  for shallot production. The 
United States noted that the recognition, which applied to over 20 fresh fruit commodities grown in 
California, had been accompanied by an assessment and verification visit by Indonesian officials to the United States in June 2015.  
2.2.  Chile welcomed Indonesia's reporting on its recognition of pest-free areas of other Members 
and flagged the need to hear about more experience s on such recognitions. Chile noted that it had 
recently returned to being pest-free after eradicating Ceratitis capitata , and looked forward to a 
fruitful meeting on that issue with Indonesia in November 2015. 
3  MEMBERS' EXPERIENCES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ARTICLE 6 
3.1  July 2015 meeting (G/SPS/R/79) 3.1.  No Member reported on experiences in this regard. 
3.2  October 2015 meeting (G/SPS/R/81) 
3.2.  Nigeria updated the Committee on the status of avian influenza in Nigeria and related control 
measures (G/SPS/GEN/1441). Although Nigeria continued to experience sporadic outbreaks of avian influenza, the numbers had reduced significantly compared to March 2015. Nigeria noted 
that it was highly likely that the source of infection for the current resurgence was wild birds. 
Although an investigation was on-going, a disease investigation by the Department of Veterinary Services found that the major risk factors came from egg and poultry manure merchants and live 
bird market operators. Nigeria was working on ra ising public awareness and sensitizing key public 
stakeholders in the industry, in addition to notifying international organizations and putting in place the modified stamping-out policy. Nigeria also noted that the inability to effectively enforce 
movement control regulations had also contributed to the spread of the virus. Zoning, 
compartmentalization and regionalization were cu rrently not being implemented. Nigeria thanked 
its development partners for their financial and technical assistance in containing the disease, and asked for further support from national and regional governments, as well as from international 
community and the private sector. 
3.3.  Brazil presented the National Programme against Fruit Flies launched by the Ministry of 
Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply to prevent, control and eradicate fruit flies of economic and 
quarantine importance (G/SPS/GEN/1442). The fruit fly was a significant pest for fruit production 
and its control could bring important trade benefits for fruit producers and exporters. The IPPC ISPMs were central pillars in the establishment of control and eradication strategies. 
Brazil expected to have new or enlarged areas free from fruit flies and a decrease in production 
costs as well as increased market access opportunities for fruit producers. Guyana commended Brazil's efforts and expressed its interest in a continued collaboration with Brazil in the fight to eradicate fruit flies. Guyana thanked USAID and II CA for their assistance in providing materials 
and funding which enabled Guyana to maintain its national programme. 
3.4.  Burkina Faso reported that highly pathogenic avian influenza, which had been detected in ten 
regions of the country in April 2015, was now under control. Burkina Faso noted that in response 
to the situation, it had put in place active surveillance, communication, resource mobilisation, and 
compensation measures, with 380 poultry producers in the affected area having been compensated. These measures had led to the co ntrol of 27 outbreaks throughout the territory. 
A surveillance process of outbreaks had confirme d the end of those outbreaks, and as a result, 
measures restricting movement had been lifted in nine of the ten areas. G/SPS/GEN/1491 
 
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  3.5.  Ecuador reported its positive results in establishing disease free areas and areas of low 
prevalence from its 2014 national fruit fly contro l programme. In addition to registering two new 
provinces this year, the project had been successful  in training several thousands of stakeholders. 
Ecuador would pursue its initiative to promote national production and access new markets by 
guaranteeing the phytosanitary quality of Ecuadorian products. Ecuador noted that it would 
conduct pilot activities in 2016 in certain areas affected by Ceratitis capitata . 
3.6.  Guatemala provided information on technical provisions to eradicate classical swine fever 
without a vaccination campaign. The eradication process had begun in early 2014 and would be 
completed by November 2015. The programme, based on OIE guidelines, would enable the development of the pig farming sector and strength en the presence of pig farming in international 
trade. 
3.3  March 2016 meeting (G/SPS/R/82) 
3.7.  The Dominican Republic provided an update on  its pest and disease situation, highlighting the 
progress made related to animal health in the country. Out of the six diseases for which the OIE 
had established procedures for official recognition of disease-free status, only one (Classical swine 
fever) remained. The Ministry of Agriculture planned to submit a report on the official OIE recognition of the country as free of the other di seases. The Dominican Republic had historically 
been free of FMD and had never practiced vaccination against this disease, which had been 
recognized by the OIE in May 2008. Furthermore, the Dominican Republic indicated that in 2013, it had initiated a programme for prevention and contro l of BSE, with the view to obtaining a risk 
controlled status. The Dominican Republic also high lighted that since 2006, the veterinary services 
had been implementing a surveillance plan for av ian influenza, and a document had been sent to 
the OIE on 27 January 2015. Finally, during 2014, the Dominican Republic had begun a national bovine programme to protect public health and monitor animal health in order to create confidence 
among trading partners. 
3.8.  Zambia informed Members that it was undertaking pest surveillance to establish pest status 
on Tuta Absoluta , commonly known as tomato leaf miner, as well as Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease 
(MLND). The results would be posted on the IPPC  website upon completion of the surveillance. 
3.9.  Nigeria provided an update on avian influe nza in the country. A sharp rise in outbreaks had 
occurred in January and February 2016, with all outbreaks duly notified to the relevant international organizations and measures put in place to control the outbreaks. A regulation to 
control movement of poultry products from infected to non-infected states had been signed by the 
Minister of Agriculture. Nigeria was also participating in a World Bank regional disease surveillance and response project in West Africa that aimed to strengthen country health systems to mitigate 
risks posed by infectious and zoonotic diseases . Nigeria emphasized the threat avian influenza 
posed for Africa as a whole and requested technical assistance to address the issue. 
3.10.  Madagascar shed light on its efforts in place to declare zones free of pests and diseases. 
Starting in April 2016, with the support of COME SA, Madagascar would introduce a surveillance 
mechanism to identify litchi producing areas free of fruit flies, which was a necessary requirement to export fresh litchi to the South African market. This initiative was part of the tripartite market development programme between COMESA-SADC-EAC . In 2016, Madagascar had also undertaken 
an FAO project financed through the Africa Solidarity Trust Fund which would support extending 
disease surveillance mechanisms to other crops destined for local markets and exports. This 
project was also available to seven SADC member countries, aiming to increase intra-regional 
trade in agricultural and food products. Madagascar also reported that in late 2016, the same 
project would support the Malagasy veterinary services to strengthen epidemiological surveillance for three animal diseases which were absent from the country, particularly bovine 
pleuropneumonia, peste des petits ruminants and FMD, to obtain and/or maintain OIE recognized 
disease free status. Madagascar also thanked its technical and financial partners for their assistance in carrying out the surveillance activities. 
3.11.  The Dominican Republic informed Members that in March 2015, it saw an outbreak of 
Mediterranean fruit flies in the eastern region. On 18
 March 2015, the US Animal and Plant Health 
Inspection Service (APHIS) had issued a federal Decree that prohibited the entrance of certain animal and plant products from the Dominican Re public to the United States. On 31 March 2015, G/SPS/GEN/1491 
 
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  the Ministry of Agriculture had issued a resolution defining the strategies required to eradicate the 
outbreak and also established a surveillance syst em in the rest of the territory. The Dominican 
Republic also established an official high level committee to roll out the strategy for prevention and surveillance. Further, APHIS had issued a federal order that allowed the imports of tomatoes that 
were not affected by Mediterranean fruit flies to the United States. Now, a system for tracking 
Mediterranean fruit flies was in place. The Dominican Republic had received technical assistance from Guatemala and an agreement had been signed  between the Ministry of Agriculture of the 
Dominican Republic, and another agreement between Mexico, Guatemala and the United States. In 
January 2016, APHIS issued DA 2016/03 to authorize imports from 23 provinces declared free of fruit flies. Since 9 January 2016, there had been restoration of trade between the countries. The joint effort of the Ministry of Agriculture and international organizations present in the country, 
along with the effort of the trade partners such as the United States, had led to positive results 
which were currently giving greater encouragement to completely eradicate the outbreak. The United States thanked the Dominican Republic for its excellent cooperation on this issue and 
commended the efforts towards the eradic ation of Mediterranean fruit flies. 
3.12.  Chile provided information about its National Detection System for Fruit Flies (SNDMF), a 
fruit fly control programme administered by the NPPO, the Agricultural and Livestock Service 
(SAG). The programme was internationally recognized and had allowed SAG to ensure that Chile 
was a country free of Mediterranean fruit flies. In December 1995, Chile had become free of fruit flies and communicated this to the SPS Committee in document G/SPS/W/52 of 4 April 1996. Chile pointed out that the measures had been taken under the guidelines established by the IPPC 
through ISPM 4, ISPM 6, and ISPM 26. Chile de scribed that the objective of this technical 
programme was to maintain a system of continuous surveillance which operated through the implementation of a network of traps set to enable early detection. Furthermore, a corrective 
action plan had been established for the event of a possible entry of the pest. In this regard, SAG 
periodically kept its counterparts in other countries informed of the situation of pest control measures. Chile noted that it had always provided necessary information or facilitated inspections. 
In addition, Chile highlighted that the natural ba rriers existing in the country helped keep it 
isolated from quarantine pests, such as fruit flie s. Chile thanked the countries that had recognized 
the fruit fly-free status of the country and had allowed imports of fruits from Chile. Chile reminded Members that the SPS Committee had adopted the Guidelines to Further the Practical 
Implementation of Article 6 (G/SPS/48). 
4  NOTIFICATIONS RELATED TO ARTICLE 6 4.1.  From April 2015 through March 2016, 98 notifications (38 regular and 60 emergency) related 
to Article 6. Thirteen of those notifications (all regular) indicated that the notified measure was 
trade facilitating; these notifications mainly inform of measures that will simplify the requirements for the import of products originating from certain regions, as well as the recognition of pest-free 
or disease-free areas. 
Table 4.1: Trade Facilitating Notifications Related to Article 6 
Document symbol Notifying 
Member Description of content 
G/SPS/N/BRA/1035 Brazil The notified document establishes the 
phytosanitary import requirements for bulbs of 
Ranunculus produced in Italy, as a result of pest 
risk analysis. 
G/SPS/N/BRA/686/Rev.2 Brazil The notified document establishes the 
phytosanitary requirements to import bare root 
cuttings and scions of grapevine (Vitis vinifera) 
from France, as a result of pest risk analysis. 
G/SPS/N/BRA/1071 Brazil The notified document establishes the 
phytosanitary requirements for import of grape fruits ( Vitis vinifera ) in natura from Portugal, as 
result of a risk analysis. 
G/SPS/N/MEX/276 Mexico Pursuant to the Decision establishing the module 
of phytosanitary requirements for the importation 
of goods regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture, 
Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and G/SPS/GEN/1491 
 
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  Document symbol Notifying 
Member Description of content 
Food, in relation to plant health ( Acuerdo por el 
que se establece el módulo de requisitos 
fitosanitarios para la importación de mercancías 
reguladas por la Secretaría de Agricultura, 
Ganadería, Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y 
Alimentación, en materia de sanidad vegetal ), 
published in the Mexican Official Journal on 
7 February 2012, the phytosanitary requirements 
for the importation into Mexico of radish 
(Raphanus sativus  L.) seeds originating in Italy 
and coming from the Netherlands, established on 
the basis of a pest risk analysis, have been 
submitted to public comment.  
Radish ( Raphanus sativus  L.) seeds require a 
phytosanitary certificate issued by the Dutch 
National Plant Protection Organization with an 
additional declaration stating that "The radish 
(Raphanus sativus  L.) seeds originate from Italy 
and have been selected, treated and packaged in 
the Netherlands. They have undergone inspection 
and have been found free from Alternaria 
brassicicola, Alternaria japonica, Mycosphaerella 
brassicicola, Xanthomonas campestris  pv. raphani  
and Radish yellow edge virus". 
G/SPS/N/MEX/285 Mexico Pursuant to the Decision establishing the module 
of phytosanitary requirements for the importation of goods regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture, 
Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food 
in relation to plant health (Acuerdo por el que se establece el módulo de requisitos fitosanitarios para la importación de mercancías reguladas por 
la Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, 
Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación, en materia de sanidad vegetal), published in the 
Mexican Official Journal on 7 February 2012, the 
phytosanitary requirements for the importation into Mexico of dried rhizomatous bulbs of Persian 
buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus L.) originating in 
and coming from Italy, established on the basis of a pest risk analysis, have been submitted to public comment.  
Imports of dried rhizomatous bulbs of Persian 
buttercup require a phytosanitary certificate issued by Italy's National Plant Protection 
Organization stating that they have been found 
free from certain pests. The bulbs are also required to have undergone preventive treatment 
at origin with fungicides and insecticides officially 
authorized by the NPPO and phosphine treatment at origin. 
G/SPS/N/MEX/289 Mexico Pursuant to the Decision establishing the module 
of phytosanitary requirements for the importation 
of goods regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture, 
Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food 
in relation to plant health (Acuerdo por el que se 
establece el módulo de requisitos fitosanitarios 
para la importación de mercancías reguladas por 
la Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, 
Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación, en 
materia de sanidad vegetal), published in the G/SPS/GEN/1491 
 
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  Document symbol Notifying 
Member Description of content 
Mexican Official Journal on 7 February 2012, the 
phytosanitary requirements for the importation 
into Mexico of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) seeds 
originating in China and coming from the 
Netherlands, established on the basis of a pest 
risk analysis, have been submitted to public 
comment.  
Imports into Mexico of radish seeds from China 
and the Netherlands require a phytosanitary 
certificate issued by the Chinese and Dutch 
National Plant Protection Organizations. The 
seeds must also undergo certain chemical 
treatments and meet specific packaging 
requirements, as established in the notified text.  
G/SPS/N/MEX/291 Mexico Pursuant to the Decision establishing the module 
of phytosanitary requirements for the importation of goods regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture, 
Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food 
in relation to plant health (Acuerdo por el que se establece el módulo de requisitos fitosanitarios para la importación de mercancías reguladas por 
la Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, 
Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación, en materia de sanidad vegetal), published in the 
Mexican Official Journal on 7 February 2012, the 
phytosanitary requirements for the importation into Mexico of botanical cucumber (Cucumis 
sativus L.) seeds originating in and coming from 
Latvia, established on the basis of a pest risk analysis, have been submitted to public comment.  
Imports into Mexico of botanical cucumber seeds 
from Latvia require a phytosanitary certificate issued by the Latvian National Plant Protection 
Organization. The seeds must also undergo 
certain chemical treatments and meet specific packaging requirements, as established in the 
notified text.   
G/SPS/N/MEX/292 Mexico Pursuant to the Decision establishing the module 
of phytosanitary requirements for the importation 
of goods regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture, 
Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food 
in relation to plant health ( Acuerdo por el que se 
establece el módulo de requisitos fitosanitarios 
para la importación de mercancías reguladas por 
la Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, 
Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación, en 
materia de sanidad vegetal ), published in the 
Mexican Official Journal on 7 February 2012, the 
phytosanitary requirements for the importation 
into Mexico of botanical onion ( Allium cepa  L.) 
seeds originating in Australia and coming from 
the Netherlands, established on the basis of a 
pest risk analysis, have been submitted to public 
comment.  
Imports into Mexico of botanical onion seeds from 
Australia and the Netherlands require a 
phytosanitary certificate issued by the Australian 
and Dutch National Plant Protection 
Organizations. The seeds must also undergo G/SPS/GEN/1491 
 
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  Document symbol Notifying 
Member Description of content 
certain chemical treatments and meet specific 
packaging requirements, as established in the 
notified text.   
G/SPS/N/MEX/296 Mexico Pursuant to the Decision establishing the module 
of phytosanitary requirements for the importation 
of goods regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food 
in relation to plant health (Acuerdo por el que se 
establece el módulo de requisitos fitosanitarios para la importación de mercancías reguladas por la Secretaría de Agricultura, Ganadería, 
Desarrollo Rural, Pesca y Alimentación, en 
materia de sanidad vegetal), published in the Mexican Official Journal on 7 February 2012, the 
phytosanitary requirements for the importation 
into Mexico of sunflower (Helianthus annuus) seeds (other than for sowing) originating in and 
coming from Bulgaria, established on the basis of 
a pest risk analysis, have been submitted to public comment. Imports of sunflower seeds must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate, 
have been subjected to a phytosanitary treatment 
and meet certain requirements as regards packaging. 
G/SPS/N/PHL/291 Philippines This document provides standards for 
establishments conducting goat meat fabrication 
intended for food trade. 
G/SPS/N/RUS/99 Russian Federation This letter allows imports of poultry meat and all 
poultry products, not heat treated, feeds and feed additives for poultry, used equipment for keeping, slaughter and birds butchering from all the 
territory of Hungary to the territory of the 
Russian Federation. Moreover, in addition to the mentioned products it is allowed to import the 
live poultry and hatching eggs from Békés county 
(Hungary). 
G/SPS/N/RUS/116 Russian Federation This letter allows import of products mentioned in 
point 3 from the relevant regions in Germany to 
the territorry of the Russian Federation. 
G/SPS/N/TPKM/356 Chinese Taipei We adjusted Xylella fastidiosa from Part A to Part 
B of the "Quarantine Requirements for the 
Importation of Plants or Plant Products", and 
regulate the host plants for planting (excluding seeds) from infested areas shall be subject to the 
pre-export laboratory testing to confirm they are 
free from this pest. The testing result must be stated on the phytosanitary certificate issued by 
the NPPO of the exporting country. The 
consignments which fail to meet the above-mentioned condition shall be reshipped or destroyed. 
 G/SPS/GEN/1491 
 
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  5  SPECIFIC TRADE CONCERNS AND REGIONALIZATION 
5.1.  Specific trade concerns (STCs) can be raised due to issues pertaining to regionalization. From 
April 2015 through March 2016, two STCs that related to regionalization were raised for the first time. 
Table 5.1: New STCs Related to Re gionalization (April 2015–March 2016) 
STC No Title Member raising 
the concern Member 
maintaining 
the measure Date first 
raised 
394 Costa Rica's suspension of the 
issuing of phytosanitary import 
certificates for avocados Guatemala, 
Mexico Costa Rica 15/07/2015 
398 Viet Nam's restrictions on fruit 
due to fruit flies Chile Viet Nam 14/10/2015 
5.2.  For the same period, four previously raised STCs that related to regionalization were brought 
again to the attention of the Committee. 
Table 5.2: Previously Raised STC's Relate d to Regionalization (April 2015–March 2016) 
STC No Title Member raising 
the concern Member 
maintaining 
the measure Date first 
raised 
193 General import restrictions due 
to BSE United States of 
America, European Union Certain Members 01/06/2004 
375 US non-acceptance of OIE 
categorization for BSE India United States of 
America 09/07/2014 
376 Australia's non-acceptance of 
OIE categorization for BSE India Australia 09/07/2014 
383 China's measures on bovine 
meat India China 26/03/2015 
5.3.  In addition, panel proceedings in the co ntext of the WTO dispute settlement resolution 
procedures continued with respect to two previously raised STCs:  
 US failure to recognize South Patagonia as FMD-free and to import beef from north of 
the 42nd Parallel (STC 318 raised by Argentina, June 2011). The panel report (DS447) 
was adopted on 31 August 2015; and 
 Russia's measures on live pigs and pork products due to African swine fever (STC 369 
raised by the European Union, March 2013). The panel was established (DS475) on 
22 July 2014. 
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