WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  RESTRICTED 
G/SPS/R/69 
21 December 2012 
 (12-7025) 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
  
 
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING OF 18-19 OCTOBER 2012 
 
Note by the Secretariat
1 
 
Table of contents 
 
Page 
 
I.  ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA ............................................................................................. 3  
II.  INFORMATION ON RELEVANT ACTIVITIES ................................................................ 3  
(a)  Information from Members ...................................................................................................... ... 3 
(b)  Information from Observer Organizations .................................................................................. 4  
III. SPECIFIC TRADE CONCERNS (G/SPS/GEN/204/REV.12) ............................................. 4  
(a)  New Issues .................................................................................................................... .............. 5  
(b)  Issues Previous ly Raised ...................................................................................................... ....... 7 
(c)  Consideration of Specific Notifications Received .................................................................... 13  
(d)  Information on Resolution of Issues in G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev.12 ............................................ 13  
IV.  OPERATION OF TRANSPARENCY PROVISIONS ........................................................ 13  
V.  IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT ................ 16  
VI.  EQUIVALENCE – ARTICLE 4 ............................................................................................ 16  
(a)  Information from Members on their Experiences ..................................................................... 16  
(b)  Information from Relevant Observer Organizations ................................................................ 16  
VII. PEST- AND DISEASE-FREE AREAS – ARTICLE 6 (G/SPS/GEN/1134) ...................... 16  
(a)  Information from Members on their Pest or Disease Status ..................................................... 16  
(b)  Information from Members on their Experi ences in Recognition of Pest- or Disease-
free Areas .................................................................................................................... .............. 17  
(c)  Information from Relevant Observer Organizations ................................................................ 17  
VIII. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION ....................................................... 17  
(a)  Information from the Secretariat .............................................................................................. . 17 
(b)  Information from Members ...................................................................................................... . 21 
(c)  Information from Observers .................................................................................................... . 22 
IX.  REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SPS 
AGREEMENT ..................................................................................................................... ... 23 
(a)  Issues Arising from the Second Review (G/SPS/W/259) ......................................................... 23  
X.  MONITORING OF THE USE OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ........................... 26  
(a)  Proposed Revision to the Monitoring Procedure (G/SPS/W/268) ............................................ 26  
                                                      
1 This document has been prepared under the Secret ariat's own responsibility and is without prejudice 
to the positions of Members or to their rights or obligations under the WTO. G/SPS/R/69 
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  (b)  New Issues .................................................................................................................... ............ 26  
(c)  Issues Previous ly Raised ...................................................................................................... ..... 27 
XI.  CONCERNS WITH PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL STANDARDS 
(G/SPS/55, G/SPS/W/256, G/SPS/W/261, G/SPS/W/265) .................................................... 27  
(a)  Report on the Informal Meeting ............................................................................................... 27 
XII. REQUESTS FOR OBSERVER STATUS ............................................................................ 29  
(a)  Information from Observer Organizations ................................................................................ 29  
(b)  Report of Informal Meeting (G/SPS/GEN/1157) ..................................................................... 29  
XIII. CHAIRPERSON'S ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN 
GOODS ......................................................................................................................... ........... 31  
XIV. OTHER BUSINESS ................................................................................................................  31 
XV. DATE AND AGENDA OF NE XT MEETING ..................................................................... 32   G/SPS/R/69 
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  I. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA 
1. The Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measu res (the "Committee") held its fifty-fifth 
regular meeting on 18-19 October 2012.  The propo sed agenda for the meeting was adopted with 
amendments (WTO/AIR/4012). 
II. INFORMATION ON RELEVANT ACTIVITIES 
(a) Information from Members 
2. Australia drew attention to the on-going reform of its biosecurity system and the release of 
Australia's draft biosecurity legislation for comm ent.  Due to its size and complexity, the draft 
legislation was released progressively.  Austra lia notified the first draft on 4 July 2012 as 
G/SPS/N/AUS/298, followed by two additional releases, and the final chapters of the draft legislation 
were notified in G/SPS/N/AUS/298/Add.3.  The consultation period was extended to 24 October 
2012.  Australia would also develop detailed regula tions on the implementation of the legislation and 
notify these for comments.  Regardless of the legisla tive changes, all existing approvals to export to 
Australia would continue to be valid until their normal expiry. 
3. Japan reported that since the nuclear plant accident, earthquake and tsunami disaster, the 
country had been on a steady path to recovery and received assistance from around the world.  
Priority was given to food safety based on scientific  evidence, and new and stricter standard limit 
values of radioactive materials in food products we re the basis for inspection to avoid placing any 
contaminated foods on the market.  Some countries continued, however, to  impose import bans and 
other excessive restrictions on Japan's exports.  Jap an would continue providing scientific data and 
ensure the safety of all its food exports and re quested other Members to take measures based on 
scientific principles. 
4. The European Union provided information on the latest developments in the situation of foot 
and mouth disease (FMD) in Bulgaria.  Bulgaria reported 11 outbreaks of FMD in domestic and wild 
animals in the Burgas region near the border with  Turkey in 2011.  All of these outbreaks were 
notified to the World Organization for Animal Heal th (OIE);  necessary steps to control the outbreak 
and avoid further spreading of the disease were taken.  The OIE restored the FMD-free without 
vaccination status of Bulgaria as of 31 August 2012. 
5. Mexico reported that avian influenza type A virus subtype H7N3 had in commercial poultry 
operations in eight municipalities in the state of Jalisco (see G/SPS/GEN/1175).  The national health 
department and the Agro-food safety and quality de partment were monitoring the presence of the 
virus, taking samples from production units and processing in the official laboratories.  A rigorous 
vaccination programme had been conducted and was reinforced with anti-epidemic measures like 
quarantines, disinfection and depopul ation of quarantine areas.  Mexico requested Members to apply 
the guidelines laid down by the OIE in order to  avoid unjustified negative impacts on trade. 
6. Mexico also drew attention to various recen t publications.  Information on changes to the 
Federal Law on Animal Health was provided in  G/SPS/GEN/1176.  An agreement establishing the 
provisions for use of additives and processing aids  in food, beverages and food supplements was 
described in G/SPS/GEN/1177.  A communication on import and export certificates for agricultural, livestock, aquaculture and fisheries products was contained in G/SPS/GEN/1183.  Document G/SPS/GEN/1192 provided information on the na tional tick (Boophilus SPP) control campaign, 
particularly on animal health measures to protect areas not infected by this parasite. 
7. Paraguay reported that since its notification to  the OIE of the reappearance of FMD in 
September and December of 2011, veterinary offi cials had restructured their epidemiological FMD G/SPS/R/69 
Page 4  
 
  surveillance and vaccination activities.  Biosecurity  laboratories were instituted and took samples for 
diagnosis of FMD as well as other diseases affecting animals.  Some Members already recognized the 
steps Paraguay took to restore its FMD-free status and over 20 markets had been re-gained.  Paraguay 
further thanked Brazil, the European Union, Indi a and other trading partners for their assistance, 
particularly in training they delivered.  
8. Belize reported on a project funded by the Sta ndard and Trade Development Facility (STDF) 
to apply the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis Framework (MCDA), to structure the setting of priorities in SPS decision-making within a multi-disc iplinary scenario.  The application of the MCDA 
had resulted in eight capacity building options.  Mo st important was the allocation of national funds 
for at least three of the top four options, whic h required minimal investments yet had impact on 
product diversification for small farm ers.  Several lessons were learnt  in the application of the MCDA 
framework including that good stakeholder representa tion is essential in identifying key issues.  The 
application of the specialized tools - OIE Evaluati on of the Performance of Veterinary Services (OIE 
PVS) and the OIE Gap Analysis, the Phytosanitary  Capacity Evaluation (PCE) and the Performance, 
Vision and Strategy Tools develope d and applied by the Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on 
Agriculture (IICA) - helped identify the important  areas that needed to be strengthened and 
established benchmarks by which competent authoriti es could measure their level of compliance.  The 
MCDA framework allowed for clear prioritization of  areas with the most impact on trade facilitation 
and encouraged greater appreciation by stakeholde rs of the work conducted by the SPS competent 
authorities.  Belize also appreciated the team of SPS experts who had supported the process. 
(b) Information from Observer Organizations 
9. The World Organization for Animal Health (OIE ) provided an update on developments in its 
standard setting work programme (G/SPS/GEN/1198).  The OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Standards 
Commission (Code Commission) had adopted revised criteria for listing diseases were adopted;  discussed the delisting of some diseases and the updating of guidelines on antimicrobial resistance (AMR);  and developed a "Model Core Veterinary Curriculum" to serve as a tool for veterinary 
educational establishments in OIE member countries. 
10. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) reported on its Strategic Framework;  
the progress of a phytosanitary trade dispute between South Africa and the European Union;  the sustainability of the IPPC and the IPPC Financial Committee's creation of a Resource Mobilization Strategy adopted in CPM-7 (2012).  More information is available in G/SPS/GEN/1202. 
11. Codex highlighted that the Committee on Fish a nd Fishery Products had adopted a number of 
standards on smoked fish and smoke-flavoured fish;  reviewed all additives for fish and fishery 
products;  proposed standards for fresh, live and frozen abalone;  and was working on performance 
criteria for reference methods for screening for microbi al toxins.  With regard to cooperation, Codex 
had been involved in activities with the other standa rd setting bodies, particularly with the OIE in the 
area of zoonotic parasites under discussion in the Co mmittee on Food Hygiene.  On scientific advice, 
the report of the latest Joint FAO/WHO Meeting on Pesticides Residues (JMPR), held in September 
2012, was available on both the WHO and the FAO website.  More information in G/SPS/GEN/1206. 
12. Morocco expressed satisfaction with the work of  Codex, especially in the area of standard 
setting for fish and fish products.  The Chairperson en couraged Members to take interest in the work 
of the Three Sisters both as individual organizations and in the activities they conduct jointly. 
III. SPECIFIC TRADE CONCERNS (G/SPS/GEN/204/REV.12) 
13. The Chairperson recalled that this agenda ite m was designed to allow Members to raise any 
specific trade concerns they may have with respect  to the implementation of the SPS Agreement.  She  G/SPS/R/69 
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  would follow the normal practice of first giving the fl oor to the Member(s) raising the issue, and then 
open the floor to other delegates who wished to address the same issue before inviting the Member 
whose measure was being discussed to respond. 
(a) New Issues 
(i) Canada's Delay in Finalizing Inspection Proce dures on Bovine and Poultry Meat – Concerns 
of Argentina 
14. Argentina expressed concerns at the delays in Canada opening its market for poultry and 
bovine meat despite favourable risk assessments.  Ar gentina noted that the Canadian Food Inspection 
Agency (CFIA) had recognized the  Argentine FMD free area without vaccination .  I n  S e p t e m b e r  
2009, the CFIA indicated that the risk assessme nt results regarding the FMD free area with 
vaccination were favourable to Argentina's exports  of deboned, matured, fresh, chilled and frozen 
meat.  Argentina's poultry was recognised as being fr ee from Newcastle disease in 2004.  Despite all 
required conditions having been satisfactorily met by 2011 (with the replies to questionnaires and 
audit of residues control by visiting bovine a nd poultry establishments in November 2010, among 
others), Canada continued to dela y an audit visit to the inspection system of bovine and poultry meat 
which it itself requires.  Argentina maintained that  this delay was inconsistent with Article 8 and 
Annex C of the SPS Agreement, and requested effect ive access to the Canadian market for bovine and 
poultry products from Argentina.Canada responded that it fully intended to audit Argentina's beef and 
poultry meat inspection systems, but that recent budgeta ry and staffing restrictions forced the CFIA to 
postpone the visit until April 2013.  
(ii) Russia's Import Ban on Live Animals – Concerns of the European Union 
15. The European Union raised a concern regardi ng measures taken by Russia to ban imports of 
live non-breeding pigs and ruminants from the whole EU territory and breeding pigs from part of the 
European Union due to alleged Brucella  findings.  Russia had not provided scientific evidence to 
justify the ban, nor information on the proportionalit y of the measure nor the negative effects the ban 
sought to limit.  Russia had identified only two cases of concern related to live animals, which the 
European Union deemed insufficient to provide just ification for the complete ban.  Russia had not 
provided a risk assessment warranting a total ban on imports, and the European Union asked Russia to 
lift the import ban on live breeding and non-breeding pigs. 
16. Russia asserted that joint inspections by Ru ssian and Customs Union experts found numerous 
and repeated violations in animal surveillance a nd the ban on live animals from the European Union 
was preceded by a risk assessment.  Following negotia tions, the European Union had agreed to take 
additional measures to ensure the safety of anim als and animal products intended for the Russian 
market.  The import ban was necessary to protect against animal diseases and unsafe animal products, 
but Russia was ready for further dial ogue with the European Union. 
(iii) US Restrictions on Tomatoes (G/SPS/N/USA/2019) – Concerns of Senegal 
17. Senegal raised concerns regarding US restric tions on imports of toma toes due to alleged 
presence of the pest tuta absoluta .  In the framework of the African Growth and Opportunity Act 
(AGOA), a team of experts from the United States  had made recommendations  regarding Senegal's 
tomato production which were complied with.  In 2009, when information was received of the 
reappearance of the tuta absoluta  in parts of Europe originating from Latin America, Senegal 
effectively banned imports from infested areas, particularly Morocco, as notified in G/SPS/N/SEN/7 in 2010.  The US ban on imports of tomatoes had not  been notified or verified with the Senegalese 
authorities, although subsequently a bilateral technica l meeting had been held to seek resolution of the 
issue. G/SPS/R/69 
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  18. The United States highlighted that the issue ra ised by Senegal was discussed in a bilateral 
technical discussion and an agreement to work to gether to address the concern was reached, with 
progress to be reported at the next meeting. 
(iv) Turkey's Requirements for Importation of Sheep Meat – Concerns of Australia 
19. Australia was concerned about the undue delay by  Turkey in providing information regarding 
its measures on the importation of sheep meat, request ed in April 2011.  Australia recalled Turkey's 
obligations under the SPS Agreement to act in a transparent manner and to ensure that any SPS 
measure be based on scientific evidence, only app lied to the extent necessary, and not unjustifiably 
discriminate between Members. 
20. Turkey responded that its authorities were s till working on the requirements and certification 
procedures for the importation of sheep meat, and that these would be in line with the SPS 
Agreement.  Turkey also committed to sharing the outcomes with Australia as soon as these were 
completed. 
(v) Russia's Barriers Related to the Listing of EU  Establishments – Concerns of the European 
Union 
21. The European Union was concerned that Russi a had systematically refused the guarantees 
provided by EU member States for the listing of new establishments interested in exporting to Russia.  
No scientific justification was provided nor expl anation given as to why member State guarantees, 
which were relied upon in the past, were no longer trusted.  Further, Russia had increased restrictions 
through the temporary suspension of imports fro m certain EU establishments without scientific 
justification.  Restriction was introduced on casings est ablishments despite the low risk profile of this 
commodity, as recognized by the OIE.  Similar unf ounded restrictions had been introduced on dairy 
and meat product establishments following a regional out break of Noro virus, apparently based on the 
assumption that the outbreak was due to inadequate  veterinary supervision, without any real 
consideration of the risk at stake or the epidemio logical link.  The European Union requested Russia 
to lift its restrictions and rather facilitate the lis ting of establishments, and to  take only proportionate 
measures if and when there was a scientific basis. 
22. Morocco, Norway and the United States shared similar concerns regarding the listing of 
establishments.  Norway specifically was concerned about the listing of companies that intended to 
export to Russia, as well as the process of reauthor izing already inspected companies which were 
temporarily not allowed to export to Russia.  The United States expressed  concerns with Russia 
maintaining registry requirements for certain produc ts while it had agreed in its accession process and 
Customs Union decision 830 to remove these require ments Morocco shared similar concerns, and 
requested Russia to provide these new listings to the concerned countries in order to avoid economic 
repercussions. 
23. Russia affirmed that it intended to comply w ith all the SPS-related commitments undertaken 
during its accession.  It sought to implement its obligations under the WTO without disrupting or 
impairing its trade with former trading partners .  The customs union regulation on joint inspection, 
Customs Union decision 834, considered the audit of  foreign surveillance systems to establish their 
equivalence was the main mechanis m to ensure the safety of imports.  This was the same principle 
used by the European Union.  Those establishments  that had previously had the right to export to 
Russia could continue to do so, and imports fro m others would be permitted following a successful 
audit.  The issue with regard to casings was that some products certified as coming from the European 
Union appeared to be sourced elsewhere.  Russia was open to further discuss these matters with the 
European Union.  G/SPS/R/69 
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  (vi) Japan's Restrictions on Shrimp due to An ti-oxidant Residues – Concerns of India 
24. India expressed concern regarding Japan's introduc tion of mandatory testing for residue levels 
of ethoxyquin, an anti-oxidant commonly used as pr eservative in feed for aquatic animals.  In 2005, 
Japan had notified a measure based on its Food Sanitation Act that regulated a positive list of 
agricultural chemicals and additives in food.  This de fined permissible residue levels of ethoxyquin at 
0.01ppm for some products, but did not include MRLs  in shrimp.  Japan's ne w MRLs for shrimp was 
too stringent compared to the Codex MRL of 3ppm , was not based on scientific evidence and did not 
take into account the objective of minimizing negative trade effects. 
25. Japan observed that no Codex standard for ethox yquin in shrimp had existed at the time it 
changed its legislation.  As India had not requested the establishment of a specific MRL for this 
product, the default tolerance level of 0.01 ppm a pplied.  A risk assessment for ethoxyquin in shrimp 
was currently underway, so the default level was a pplied in the meantime.  Japan remained committed 
to continuing consultations with  India to resolve this matter. 
(b) Issues Previously Raised 
(i) Application and Modification of  the EU Regulation on Novel Foods – Concerns of Peru 
(No. 238) 
26. Peru reiterated its concern with regard to Regulation 238/97 on Novel Foods whose 
application continued to restrict access of traditi onal products into the European Union.  Regulation 
238/97 was in practice an unnecessary and unjustified barri er to trade, not adopted on the basis of an 
appropriate risk assessment taking into account scientific  evidence, thus contrary to Article 5 of the 
SPS Agreement.  Peru reiterated its request that  the European Union ex clude from the regulation 
traditional products arising from biodiversity an d remove the unjustified hindrances to trade. 
27. Brazil, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba and Venezuela supported Peru's concern 
and asserted that Regulation 238/97 constituted an  unnecessary barrier to trade because it targeted 
products that were not widely traded in the EU ma rket before 1997 without considering the history of 
safe consumption in other countries.  Colombia regre tted the EU delay in reforming this Regulation to 
bring it into compliance with WTO obligations.  Braz il, Chile and Costa Rica reiterated their interests 
in developments regarding the reform of this Regulation. 
28. The European Union recalled that at the last meeting it had provided a detailed explanation on 
the state of play of the Novel Foods dossier;  it was now engaged in preparing a new legislative proposal on Novel Foods, expected to be adopted in 2013.  The European Union would keep Members informed on the progress of the novel food negotiations, on future measures applicable to 
traditional foods from third countries, and would no tify the new draft legislation to the WTO for 
comments.  In order to help producers, importers  and those responsible for placing products on the 
EU market a Novel Food Catalogue had been crea ted, and a document indicating how interested 
operators may establish whether a food or food ingr edient had a history of consumption in the 
European Union.  The European Union remained co mmitted to work with concerned partners towards 
an amicable solution of this matter. 
(ii) US Measures on Catfish (G/SPS/N/USA/ 2171) – Concerns of China (STC 289) 
29. 
China recalled that in March 2011, the United States notified a requirement for mandatory 
inspection of catfish and catfish products which incl uded catfish regulation with that of terrestrial 
animal meat products.  Aquatic animal products pres ented lower risks than terrestrial animal products, 
and China sought an explanation and risk assessment  from the United States.  Moreover, China hoped G/SPS/R/69 
Page 8  
 
  that if the regulation were to be implemented, the United States would respect the traditional 
transitional period of 5 years considering China's developing country status. 
30. The United States explained that the Food C onservation and Energy Act of 2008 mandated 
that catfish be regulated under the Federal Meat In spection Act.  A proposed rule for the inspection of 
catfish was notified to the WTO and comments accepte d until 24 June 2011.  The US Department of 
Agriculture was still reviewing the comments and w ould notify the adoption of the final rules for 
inspection of catfish before implementation.  The United States would make every effort to minimize 
disruptions to trade once the catfish inspection program began. 
(iii) EU Maximum Residue Levels of Pesticides (STC 306) – Concerns of India 
31. India noted that this concern had been raised in the last six meetings but no solution had yet 
been found.  The European Union continued to set MRL levels at the Limit of Detection (LOD) for 
pesticides such as Carbendazim and Isoprothiolane, wit hout any scientific justification contrary to the 
provisions of the SPS Agreement.  India reiterated its request for the European Union to provide 
scientific justification for fixing MRLs at the limits of detection without scientific evidence. 
32. The European Union stated that trading partne rs must follow the EU procedure for requesting 
the setting of MRLs based on actual use of a pesticid e.  Where a pesticide was not used within the 
European Union or was unknown, the European Uni on set the MRL at the lowest analytical level 
rather than apply a zero tolerance approach, to give  traders some legal certainty.  Before setting an 
MRL for a pesticide, the scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority is sought on each 
occasion.  The European Union reiterated that its legislation was balanced, non-discriminatory, based 
on sound scientific assessments and predictable.  Th e European Union suggested that India provide a 
list of the chemical substances used in India that it  considered were not harmful to human health, so 
that the same could be the subject of an EFSA risk assessment. 
(iv) Vietnam's Ban on Offal (STC 314) – Concerns of  the European Union and the United States 
33. The European Union repeated its concern about the import ban on offal imposed by Vietnam.  
Vietnam had clarified that the ban was temporarily imposed due to food safety concerns and had lifted 
the ban on red-offal following bilateral discussions a nd confirmation that no problems were detected 
in offal imported from the European Union.  Howeve r, the ban on white offal remained, and without a 
risk assessment.  The European Un ion urged Vietnam to rapidly find a solution in order to lift the 
unjustified measure. 
34. Australia, New Zealand, and the United States al so noted that the existing ban on white offal 
was affecting their trade and requested Vietnam to lift the ban. 
35. Viet Nam reiterated that this was a temporary measure to protect human health from harmful 
contaminants, toxins or disease-causing organisms in  offal while it improved its human capacity to 
ensure inspection.  Limitations of resources and human capacity had delayed the removal of the ban 
on white offals, however the issue was under consider ation.  Viet Nam appreciated the relationship 
with its trading partners and was willing to wo rk with them to find an amicable solution. 
(v) EU regulations on Cadmium in Cocoa (STC  325) – Concerns of Ecuador and Colombia 
36. Ecuador explained that it had learned throug h the Directorate General for Health and 
Consumers (DG-SANCO) of the Eu ropean Commission that new ma ximum levels of cadmium in 
food were being considered.  A summary report of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health showed a clear discrimination betw een cocoa products and other food stuffs.  The 
European Commission's proposal focused only on pr oducts for which no maximum levels existed;   G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 9 
 
 
  but differentiated between chocolate and cocoa pr oducts on the one hand and vegetables and cereal 
products.  For the latter products, due to concerns about costs, more time would be given to farmers 
and food business operators to put measures in place to reduce cadmium levels.  This discriminatory 
treatment was arbitrary, unjustified, and dispropo rtionate and could result in unnecessary restrictions 
to international trade.  Ecuador requested that choc olate and cocoa products receive equal treatment as 
vegetables and cereals, to prevent any unjustified discrimination.  Furthermore, if new cadmium 
levels were set, these should be based on an appr opriate risk assessment, and comply with the WTO 
principles of proportionality, transparency and consideration of the special needs of developing countries. 
37. Cameron, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic , Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, and 
Venezuela supported the concern by Ecuador, furthe r noting that the EU measure would adversely 
affect the small and subsistence farmers and producers of cocoa in  developing countries.  The EFSA 
scientific opinion indicated that chocolate and cocoa products were not the main source of cadmium intake, however the major contributors of cadmium in the diet were not included in the proposed EU 
regulation.  There was no Codex standard for cadmium  nor agreed international analytical methods or 
procedures to determine the presence of cadmium, wh ich made it difficult to compare the levels of 
cadmium in these foods. 
38. The representative of the WHO indicated th at the FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on 
Food Additives (JECFA) was scheduled to consider cad mium levels in cocoa at its meeting in June 
2013.  JECFA had issued a call for data, but no t yet received any data from exporting countries 
regarding their controls on levels of cadmium in cocoa products, or information on cadmium levels at 
different processing stages. 
39. The European Union acknowledged the concerns  of exporting Members and noted that the 
discussions were still at the technical level with  no maximum levels yet proposed.  The proposal 
would initially focus on foodstuffs such as chocol ate, cocoa products and baby foods, for which 
maximum levels did not yet exist,  and at a later stage would revi ew other food commodities for which 
maximum levels already existed.  The meeting of  the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) in 
October 2012 had provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on the issue and the data 
provided by some Members on cadmium in cocoa products would be considered.  The European 
Union was confident that a balanced proposal woul d result from the legislative process and that any 
negative effects would be kept to a minimum. 
(vi) China's Quarantine and Testing Procedures fo r Salmon (STC 319) – Concerns of Norway 
40. Norway reiterated its concern in relation to th e testing and quarantine measures introduced by 
China in December 2010 and strengthened in Fe bruary 2011.  These measures posed serious 
challenges to Norway's trade of fresh salmon to China, as the quarantine measures implied that all 
consignments of fresh salmon would be tested and re tained in custody awaiting the test results.  The 
obligations under the SPS Agre ement required that SPS measures be supported by a science-based 
risk analysis, not more trade restrictive than necessary and applied in a tr ansparent manner.  The 
measures applied to salmon from Norway appeared not to be proportional to the situation and Norway 
requested China to provide the risk analysis th at supported the testing and quarantine measures.  
Norway recognized the communication between AQSIQ  and the Norwegian Embassy in Beijing, but 
requested AQSIQ to agree to the request for tec hnical consultations on this issue, in line with 
Article 5 of the SPS Agreement. 
41. China observed that in recent years its inspec tion authorities had detected pathogenic germs 
and excessive veterinary drug residues in imported salmon.  Based on the results of a risk assessment, 
Chinese experts were of the opinion that the importa tion of salmon, especially chilled, fresh and farm-
raised salmon, posed a high food safety risk.  In or der to protect the health of Chinese consumers, G/SPS/R/69 
Page 10  
 
  AQSIQ decided in early 2011 to further strengthen the inspection and quarantine of salmon imported 
into China from all countries.  The relevant measu res were based on existing laws and regulations and 
were not new measures which needed to be notified to the WTO.  Norway was one of the main suppliers of salmon to China, however, Norway had failed to meet China's inspection requirements in 
recent years.  In 2011, 24 cases of unqualified aquatic  products from Norway were reported, of which 
19 cases involved salmon.  China remained committed to  continue bilateral discussions with Norway 
and looked forward to further communication in relation to the Sino-Norway Memorandum of Understanding on SPS.  
(vii) Thailand's Restrictions on Table Grapes, Apples and Pears (STC 326) - Concerns of South 
Africa 
42. South Africa recalled that its exports of fresh fru it, particularly table grapes, apples and pears, 
had been stopped as a result of Thailand's new Plan t Quarantine Act.  The Act prohibited imports of 
certain fresh produce until a pest risk analysis (P RA) was completed.  An interim provision allowed 
the entry of products imported to Thailand prior to  the prohibition, pending completion of the PRA.  
Since its application to be recognized as an histor ical exporter had not been submitted within the first 
deadline, South Africa had sought to invoke this  provision under the case-by-case approval process 
and had proposed certain minimum requirements un til the PRA was completed.  Despite this, South 
African fresh fruit, although historically export ed to Thailand, was now excluded from the Thai 
market.  Although South Africa had provided the information necessary to conduct the required 
PRAs, the Thai authorities had not indicated wh en the PRAs were likely to be concluded.  
Consultations at technical and diplom atic levels had been pursued over the past four and a half years, 
in order to resume trade under the interim provisi on for historical exporters to Thailand.  Although 
South Africa welcomed the recently concluded agreem ent which allowed its exports of fresh citrus 
fruit into Thailand, it remained concerned that the ban on table grapes, apples and pears, as well as 
stone fruit continued.  The ban had disrupted su ccessful, safe fruit exports to Thailand, depriving 
South African producers and exporters of a grow ing market and limiting the choice of Thai 
consumers.  South Africa urged Thailand to lift th e ban, so historic trade could resume, and to 
conclude the required PRAs with urgency. 
43. Senegal asked for information on the phytosan itary reason for this ban on table grapes and 
apples. 
44. Thailand confirmed that the importation of certa in fresh fruit and plants was prohibited under 
the Thai Plant Quarantine Act, until the national plant protection organization (NPPO) had completed 
a PRA.  All of the relevant measures had been notif ied to the WTO.  South Africa's request to export 
table grape and other fruits to Thailand was now in  the PRA process by the Thai NPPO.  The PRA 
process required different treatments of different pests, which could involve a lengthy technical 
discussion.  Thailand's exports of fresh produce to South Africa, such as mangosteen and longan, were 
subject to a similar PRA process.  Thailand indicated that it had approved the PRA for citrus from 
South Africa, allowing importation of citrus fruit s.  Thailand suggested that the NPPOs of both 
countries engage directly to find a mutually satisfactory solution to the issue. 
(viii) Indonesia's Port Closure (G/SPS/N/IDN/53, G/SPS/N/IDN/54 and CORR.1) (STC 330) – 
Concerns of China and the European Union 
45. China expressed concern with Indonesia's am ended plant quarantine measures for the 
importation of fresh fruits and vegetables, which en tered into force in June 2012 and was notified to 
the WTO in July 2012.  The requirements included the accreditation of food safety and control 
systems and the designation of four ports – not including Jakarta's Tanjung Priok Sea Port - for entry of fruits and vegetables.  The restriction on use of Indonesia's major trading ports would negatively 
impact trade with China, as 90% of Chinese fruit and vegetable exports entered Indonesia through  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 11 
 
 
  Jakarta.  China had a long history of trade in fru its and vegetables with Indonesia and its regulatory 
system monitored risks from fruit and vegetable exports .  China questioned the scientific justification 
for the measure, as the pests highlighted by Ind onesia did not occur in China.  The international 
practice was for the importing country to first streng then its inspection system  at ports of entry to 
ensure the safety of imported food and vegetables, before implementing a process to accredit the food 
safety control systems of the exporting country.  China had submitted a formal application for 
accreditation of its food safety control system and encouraged Indonesia to schedule an inspection visit to review China’s quarantine systems.  
46. The European Union echoed China's concern w ith Indonesia’s restrictive quarantine measures 
for the import of fresh fruits and vegetables, and fresh  plant products in the form of fresh bulbs.  At 
the last WTO SPS Committee, Indonesia had stated that it had addressed most of the issues bilaterally 
and had provided access to the main entry port of Jakarta to a number of countries based on country recognition.  Only a limited number of countries ha d been granted preferen tial access to Indonesia, 
while other countries could only use a limited numbe r of entry ports and remained excluded from 
using the main port in Jakarta.  Despite bilatera l discussions with Indonesia, EU exports remained 
unnecessarily blocked or exposed to higher costs, and Indonesia had provided no justification for 
these trade restrictive measures and the discrimin atory preferential access.  The European Union 
urged Indonesia to lift the unnecessarily trade restri ctive measures and to implement measures in line 
with the SPS Agreement, including giving advance notif ication, so that comments of trading partners 
could be taken into account before tr ade disruptive measures were imposed. 
47. Thailand echoed the concerns of China and the European Union, indicating that it was a 
major exporter of fruits and vegetables to Indonesia a nd that its exports had been negatively affected.  
Thailand requested Indonesia to remove the measur e in order to minimize barriers and strengthen 
trade. 
48. Indonesia recognized that the publication of its Ministry of Agriculture Regulation 
No 42/2012 and 43/2012 had raised concerns among so me Members regarding the limitation of ports 
of entry for certain fresh fruits and vegetables, a nd fresh plant products in the form of fresh bulb 
vegetables.  Indonesia had not closed its ports fo r the importation of horticulture products, but was 
seeking to prevent the spread of plant diseases and pests through effective management and 
regulation.  Its largest sea port, Tanjung Priok, did not have appropriate  facilities to implement 
quarantine measures such as the physical examinatio n and detention of hor ticultural products.  To 
prevent the spread of plant diseases and pests, and give n the high volume of activity at Tanjung Priok, 
imports had been re-routed to other ports which ha d the requisite infrastructure.  These ports were 
Belawan Sea Port in Medan, Makassar Sea Port, Tanjung Sea Port in Surabaya and Soekarno-Hatta 
International Airport in Jakarta.  Indonesia was taking measures to improve the quarantine installation 
facility in Tanjung Priok, including by establishing an integrated system between the quarantine, 
customs and other relevant agencies;  deve loping and improving existing infrastructure to 
accommodate imported commodities in the port area during quarantine inspections;  and providing 
specifically for the entry and exit of containers.  The first stage of this improvement programme 
should be finished by the end of 2013.  These co mprehensive steps were deemed necessary based on 
the results of an 2010-2011 assessment carried out by plant quarantine officials, which identified 15 
exotic plant diseases that never previously existed in Indonesia.  In most cases these plant diseases 
were found in horticulture products  entering Tanjung Priok port.  Indonesia remained concerned about 
the increasing number of interceptions that posed a seri ous threat to its plant and consumer protection. 
(ix) Import Restrictions due to BSE (STC 193) – Concerns of the European Union 
49. The European Union observed that many tradin g partners continued to impose unjustified 
bans or restrictions relating to BSE, although so me of these countries did not benefit from official 
BSE classification by the OIE as did the EU member States.  The European Union urged Korea to G/SPS/R/69 
Page 12  
 
  make tangible and predictable progress to bring its im port conditions into line with the OIE standards.  
This request was particularly important as Korea had opened its market to other trading partners 
which had the same BSE status as EU member St ates.  China was still keeping its market closed, 
claiming a lack of scientific information, althou gh there was sufficient evidence regarding the EU 
BSE situation and also clear international standards.   The European Union re quested China to quickly 
proceed with pending market access applications  and indicated its willingness to continue the 
exchange of technical information to deepen Chin a's understanding of the EU animal and food safety 
system.  The European Union welcomed the recent developments in Japan, where the risk assessment 
with regard to imports of beef had been submitted for public consultation.  As a result of the scientific 
outcome, the European Union looked forward to beef exports being resumed in the near future.  The 
European Union noted the recent steps taken in th e United States and Australia towards bringing their 
requirements into line with the OIE standards, a nd urged all Members to fully align with the OIE 
standards and establish fair, non-discriminator y, transparent and science-based rules. 
50. China indicated that the issues surrounding BSE were particularly sensitive and technical, 
involving not only the proper handling of animal hea lth and husbandry, but also directly affecting 
China-EU co-operation and trade.  China had provided thorough information to the European Union 
in relation to its scientific justification.  Rec ognizing the importance of the issue particularly for 
exports from the Netherlands and Ireland, China had jointly organized co-operation activities with the 
European Union including technical exchanges among experts, seminars and technical visits.  These 
exchanges focused on topics related to the science, technology and the OIE standards.  However, no 
consensus had been reached on some  issues.  China would continue co-operation exchanges with EU 
technical experts in a scientific and pragmatic manner in order to solve the relevant technical 
problems.  China had signed an MOU with Ireland for the establishment of a joint working group on BSE. 
51. Korea indicated that it was actively engaged in bilateral discussions with the European Union, 
including discussions this same week, and would c ontinue to have discussions with the European 
Union in this regard. 
52. Japan reported that the risk assessment pro cess was underway, specifically for beef from 
France and the Netherlands.  Japan would continue close consultations with the European Union and 
its member States. 
(x) US Risk Analysis for the Import of Queen Bees (STC 301) – Concerns of Argentina 
53. Argentina expressed its concern about the de lays by the United States in granting 
authorization for the importation of queen bees.  Ar gentina had requested access to the US market in 
2000 and had submitted all the information requested by USDA/APHIS in order to facilitate the pest 
risk analysis (PRA).  It was not until 2004 that the United States requested further information, 
including the provision of the genetic character ization of Argentina's queen bees, which was 
submitted.  In 2008, after three years of research, with the participation of laboratories from Spain, an 
ad hoc scoping study was presented which demonstr ated the absence of Africanized bees and of 
parasitic exotic plagues in Argentina.  In 2009 , USDA/APHIS informed Argentina that the PRA of 
queen bees was not a regulatory priority and that is would not proceed with the assessment.  This 
situation was inconsistent with Articles 5, 8 an d Annex C of the SPS Agreement and Argentina was 
concerned that the information which it had submitt ed in a timely manner would no longer be valid 
when USDA/APHIS finally decided to consider its request. 
54. The United States indicated that a number of fact ors had contributed to the declining health of 
honey bee colonies in the United Stat es over the past few years.  So me of the factors affecting honey 
bees included the introduction into the United Stat es of several foreign bee pests and new diseases 
caused by viruses.  For this reason, an effective le vel of security had been established to prevent the  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 13 
 
 
  introduction of foreign bee pests and diseases, wh ich could rapidly spread throughout the United 
States.  A science-based risk assessment procedure had been pub lished for approval of countries' 
exports of bees, including from Argentina, to the US  market.  In compliance with the risk assessment 
procedure and based on changes in bee health and risks worldwide, the United States had requested 
technical information from Argentina on several oc casions and letters were  exchanged in 2011 and 
2012.  After reviewing the data, the USDA informed  its counterpart SENASA in September 2012 that 
Argentina's request for access for bees could not be  considered until further information and disease 
information was provided.  There was no delay in  the US PRA, but, as stated in September 2012, 
Argentina needed to provide info rmation regarding the presence of diseases in Argentina's bee 
population and on the regulatory control of imports of honey bees into Argentina.  The United States 
urged Argentina to quickly respond to this request for information in order to expedite their request 
and resolve the concern. 
(xi) Malaysia's Import Restrictions on Pork and Po rk Products (STC 323) - Concerns of the 
European Union 
55. The European Union indicated that it had concer ns with Malaysia's import restrictions on 
pork and pork products.  In recent bilateral discussi ons, Malaysia had indicated that it had addressed 
some of the outstanding EU concerns and would continue to follow-up closely with the European 
Union to find a rapid and durable solution.  Th e European Union welcomed the positive signal and 
would continue to engage in cons tructive dialogue with Malaysia, with a view to rapidly resolving the 
issue through a transparent import process in Malaysia that guaranteed sustainable trade. 
56. Malaysia reported that bilateral discussions we re on-going and that it hoped to find a mutual 
solution to the matter as soon as possible.   
(c) Consideration of Specific Notifications Received 
57. No Member provided any information under this agenda item. 
(d) Information on Resolution of Issues in G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev.12 
58. The European Union reported that its specifi c trade concern on Chinese Taipei’s MRLs for 
Roasted and Powdered Coffee (No. 334) had been  resolved following the publication by Chinese 
Taipei of a modified draft regulation, notifie d in G/SPS/N/TPKM/255/Add.1.  The European Union 
thanked Chinese Taipei for its co-operation in r esolving the concern.  Chinese Taipei expressed 
appreciation for the EU intervention and the comme nts submitted by Members.  Chinese Taipei had 
finalized the tolerance for Ochratoxin A in roasted  and powdered coffee at 5 parts per billion (ppb).  
The standard had been in effect since 28 August 2012 and the WTO had been notified accordingly.  
Chinese Taipei wished to continue to collabora tions with Members on SPS issues.  The Chair 
congratulated the European Union and Chinese Taip ei on the resolution of the concern and thanked 
them for informing the Committee.  Members were  encouraged to inform the SPS Committee on the 
resolution of trade concerns.  
IV. OPERATION OF TRANSPARENCY PROVISIONS 
59. The Secretariat recalled that it no longer produced  paper copies of the c ontact lists of National 
Notification Authorities and National Enquiry Points, but electronic lists were constantly updated and 
available through the SPS Information Manageme nt System (IMS) (http://spsims.wto.org).  The 
Secretariat no longer generated monthly summary li st of notifications, as Members could generate 
such lists through the SPS IMS. G/SPS/R/69 
Page 14  
 
  60. Interested delegates could subscribe to any one of three e-mail lists to receive information and 
documentation from the Secretariat.  One public list received all unrestricted SPS documents;  
whereas the second public lists received all unrestrict ed documents other than notifications.  The third 
list was for SPS delegates only, for transmission of restricted documents, communications from the 
Chair, faxes, room documents and other non-pub lic documentation.  Documents were provided 
through the various e-mail lists in the original language in which they were submitted by Members 
and translations of these documents were acces sible through the SPS-IMS.  The Secretariat 
highlighted the importance of Members submitti ng correct e-mail addresses for the appropriate 
contact lists in order to receive documentation from the Secretariat. 
61. Members were reminded about available publica tions such as the Procedural Step-by-step 
Manual for SPS National Notification Authoriti es and SPS National Enquiry Points and the 
Compilation of SPS Committee Major Decisions.  Both documents were available electronically from the SPS website or printed copies could be requested from the Secretariat.  
(a) Report on Workshop 
62. The Secretariat reported on the Workshop on Transparency which took place on 15-
16 October.  The programme of the workshop was in document G/SPS/GEN/1156/Rev.1, and the 
presentations from the workshop were available on the SPS website.  A number of financial support 
programmes and special projects had made it possi ble for a considerable number of developing 
countries and LDCs to participate in the workshop. 
63. The first day of the workshop included an overvie w of the transparency provisions in the SPS 
Agreement, with emphasis on the obligations and th e benefits of transparency in promoting and 
maintaining market access.  The Secretariat presen ted the information management system (SPS IMS) 
as a tool to help enquiry points and notification authorities keep abreast of new or modified SPS 
measures that could significantly affect their expor ts.  Break-out sessions in English, French and 
Spanish permitted participants to use the SPS IMS sy stem themselves.  Participants were able to 
familiarize themselves with the differe nt functions of the system and to  search:  (i) notifications;  (ii) 
SPS documents;  (iii) specific trade concerns;  a nd (iv) enquiry points and notification authorities 
contact details.  Suggestions on how to improve the system included simplifying the menu to make 
information searches more user-friendly. 
64. The WTO Secretariat presented the Integrated Trade Intelligence Portal, a project that seeks 
to integrate WTO notification databases with a vi ew to providing an overview of the impact of 
measures notified by Members (tariffs, SPS and TBT measures) on trade.  Representatives of the 
CODEX, IPPC and OIE also presented the different sources of information available on their 
websites.  This information covered areas such as tr ansparency in the development of international 
standards, access to existing standards, and informat ion on the status of countries with regard to pests 
and diseases. 
65. The second day of the workshop focused on one  of the obligations contained in the 
transparency provisions - the obligation to notify ne w or modified SPS measures.  An overview of the 
level of implementation of the transparency provisions of the SPS Agreement was provided 
(G/SPS/GEN/804/Rev.5).  The Secretariat also pr esented the online SPS Notification Submission 
System (SPS NSS), which was launched in June 2011 to:  (i) to streamline and facilitate the process of 
submitting notifications;  and (ii) help ensure co mpleteness of the information provided in submitted 
notifications.  As with the SPS IMS system, par ticipants had the opportunity to use the SPS NSS 
system in hands-on sessions organized in English, Fr ench and Spanish.  Participants used the SPS 
NSS test site to produce a fictional regular notification on the basis of provided.  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 15 
 
 
  66. Costa Rica and Morocco presented their national experiences in the use of the NSS.  Among 
the benefits, they highlighted the simplicity of preparing notifications and the decrease in the 
processing time involved which, in the case of Morocco , sometimes took two or three months before 
the SPS NSS system was introduced.  Costa Rica stressed  that training at various levels was needed to 
ensure a successful implementation of the SPS NSS sy stem.  The practical difficulties encountered by 
the two representatives in using the system were also  encountered by a number of other participants.  
These mainly related to:  (i) problems with the system 's language parameters;  (ii) lack of any means 
of storing the information;  (iii) challenges in m oving freely from tab to tab;  and (iv) coordination 
issues between the two categories of system users. 
67. Participants in the workshop also discussed th e possibility of introducing a function whereby 
each time a notification was sent to the CRN, a copy w ould automatically be sent to the missions.  In 
addition, participants highlighted the need to provi de LDCs with training in the use of the system.  
The Secretariat agreed to examine how it could addr ess the improvements identified by participants 
with respect to both systems.  A detailed report on the workshop was subsequently circulated as 
G/SPS/R/68. 
68. The Secretariat encouraged all Members to use the SPS NSS.  NNAs could request access 
codes for the SPS NSS by sending an e mail to the SPS Committee (spscommittee@wto.org). 
69. Burkina Faso, Chile, Côte d'Ivoire, the Eu ropean Union and Senegal expressed their 
appreciation to the SPS Secretariat for organizing  the workshop, which had provided valuable and 
practical training on the transparency provisions of the SPS Agreement.  Burkina Faso requested 
similar capacity building activities at the country le vel in order to ensure the dissemination of the 
information and tools presented during the workshop .  Chile and Senegal suggested that additional 
time for the practical exercises could have been allotted.  
70. The European Union shared with the Committe e its experiences in using the SPS NSS and 
observed that the NSS is a user friendly appli cation which enabled authorities and the WTO SPS 
Secretariat to work in a more efficient way, allo wing users to fill in more accurate and complete 
notifications.  In particular, it allowed for more  transparency in the new system, as WTO Members 
had to clearly identify why, if applicable, the prop osed legislation was not in line with one of the 
international standards.  The European Union indicated that it would submit specific comments in writing to the Secretariat on how the NSS could be  further improved, based on its experiences in 
using the NSS for more than a year.  Chile similarly shared its experiences with using the NSS and encouraged other Members to do likewise.  Chile echoed EU's observation that the new notification 
system made it easier to monitor the use of in ternational standards, an issue mentioned in 
G/SPS/GEN/804/Rev.5. 
71. Senegal thanked the European Union for th e assistance received through the mentoring 
programme related to transparency, which had a llowed Senegal to make much progress in moving 
forward with transparency issues.  The Europ ean Union acknowledged the work carried out with 
Senegal under the mentoring programme and si milarly conveyed its thanks to Senegal. 
72. IICA expressed its appreciation for the works hop and observed that it was both valuable for 
countries as well as observer organizations.  IICA rec ognized the efforts of the Secretariat to develop 
tools and systems to enhance the management of notif ications and highlighted that organizations, such 
as IICA, could support the dissemination of inform ation and capacity building on these issues.  IICA 
looked forward to providing support in this manner.  The African Union similarly indicated that it had 
benefitted from these training sessions and coul d assist in disseminating information.  
73. Senegal welcomed the STDF Briefing Note 8 on  Enhancing SPS Coordination at the Country 
Level - which focused on national coordinating mech anisms from an African perspective.  AU-IBAR G/SPS/R/69 
Page 16  
 
  was involved in bringing both the public and private sector together in the area of SPS.  The African 
Union highlighted some of the difficulties it fa ced in establishing SPS committees and having them 
work effectively.  Work continued through project activities to assist countries in implementing SPS 
committees and other national coordination initiatives. 
V. IMPLEMENTATION OF SPECIAL AND DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT 
74. No Member provided any information under this agenda item. 
75. The Secretariat reported that the Committe e on Trade and Development (CTD) Special 
Session (SS) had been looking at some of the long-standing proposals for special and differential treatment.  Two long standing proposals related to the SPS Agreement.  The first was a proposal with 
respect to Article 10.3 of the SPS Agreement wh ich states that the Committee may grant to 
developing countries time-limited exceptions to prov isions of the Agreement.  The second proposal 
related to Article 10.2 of the SPS Agreement which indicated that where the appropriate level of 
protection allows Members to phase in measures, they should do so, and a Ministerial decision had 
been made indicating that in normal circumstances the phase-in of a measure should be at least six 
months.  The Secretariat had been requested by th e Chairman of the CTD-SS to attend an informal 
meeting of the CTD-SS Session to discuss these proposals. 
76. The Secretariat alerted the Committee that these proposals were being considered actively, 
particularly the proposal on Article 10.3.  A draft text had been put forward that could eventually 
result in a decision from the General Council or at th e Ministerial Level that would instruct the SPS 
Committee to take prompt action on any requests fo r a waiver under Article 10.3.  Additionally, the 
Secretariat had been requested by the Chairman of  the CTD-SS to provide a report on how the SPS 
Committee had addressed other proposals for special and differential treatment, such as:  (i) the 
decision in G/SPS/33/Rev.1 to create a process by which a Member can request special and 
differential treatment or technical assistance if it belie ve its exports are being adversely affected by an 
SPS measures;  (ii) proposals which have been a ddressed by the establishment of the STDF and its 
operations;  and (iii) proposals which have b een discussed and addressed in document G/SPS/35. 
VI. EQUIVALENCE – ARTICLE 4 
(a) Information from Members on their Experiences 
77. No Member provided any information under this agenda item. 
(b) Information from Relevant  Observer Organizations 
78. No Observer Organization provided any information under this agenda item. 
VII. PEST- AND DISEASE-FREE AREAS – ARTICLE 6 (G/SPS/GEN/1134) 
(a) Information from Members on their Pest or Disease Status 
(i) Mexico – Information on several pest and disease issues 
79. Mexico reported on the various notifications th at had been submitted to the SPS Committee in 
relation to various agreements declaring Mexico as a disease, or pest, free country, or territory.  In this 
regard, Mexico noted G/SPS/GEN/1184 which declar ed Mexico as free of Avian Salmonellosis;  
G/SPS/GEN/1185 which declared Mexico as a z one free of Classical Swine Fever;  and 
G/SPS/GEN/1189 and G/SPS/GEN/1190 which declared  Tabasco and Coahuila, excluding the 
lagunera region, as zones free of the Aujeszky's di sease.  Mexico stated that the purpose of these  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 17 
 
 
  notifications were to providing certainty and to stre ngthen free trade and market access at the national 
and international levels for Mexican products.  Mexico  stated that in order to remain free of these 
diseases, it would maintain, as necessary, the on-going diagnostic, mon itoring and preventative 
practices, in conformance to the national guidelines for epidemiological surveillance. 
(b) Information from Members on their Experiences in Recognition of Pest- or Disease-free 
Areas 
80. No Member provided any information under this agenda item. 
(c) Information from Relevant  Observer Organizations 
81. No observer organization provided in formation under this agenda item. 
VIII.  TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND COOPERATION 
(a) Information from the Secretariat 
(i) WTO SPS Activities 
82. The Secretariat reported that since the last Committee meeting, six national SPS seminars had 
been held in the Philippines, India, Argentina,  Chile, Mexico and Morocco;  a workshop on the SPS 
transparency provisions was held on the margins of the SPS Committee meeting;  and a regional SPS 
Workshop for English-speaking African countries was held in Ethiopia.  A more general training on 
the SPS Agreement had been provided in the Advanced  Trade Policy Course (in English) in Geneva;  
the Regional Trade Policy Course for Asia-Pacific countries in India;  and the FAO workshop on 
"Providing Support to Capacity Building and Implem entation of Internationa l Food Safety Standards 
in ASEAN Countries" held in Bangkok, Thailand. 
83. The Secretariat provided an overview of the WTO SPS technical assistance activities 
scheduled for the rest of 2012, as identified in  G/SPS/GEN/997/Rev.2.  Two Regional SPS workshops 
were scheduled for Asia and Pacific countries, in Chinese Taipei;  and for Central and Eastern 
Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus, in Austri a.  In relation to upcoming National SPS Seminars, 
the Secretariat had scheduled three national seminars  for Botswana, Burkina Fa so and Zambia.  More 
general training on the SPS Agreement would also be  provided in the Advanced Agriculture course;  
the Short Trade Policy Course for Member countries of the Latin American Integration Association 
(ALADI);  an AU-IBAR organized PAN-SPSO (Partic ipation of African Nations in Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Standard-setting Organizations) trai ning of trainers workshop;  and a workshop on 
Codex Alimentarius.  
84. The Secretariat drew the Members attention to  the 2012 Advanced SPS Course.  This was the 
eighth consecutive year the Advanced SPS course (formerly "specialized SPS course") would be 
offered, this year in French.  The course was atte nded by 24 participants, coming from developing and 
least-developed countries.  The selection process was based on candidates' qualifications and working 
experience, consideration was given to candidates from countries which had not been represented in 
previous editions of the course.  The participan ts of this course were present at the Committee 
meeting. 
85. The Advanced SPS Course was a unique WTO tr aining activity since it was not only focused 
on transmitting knowledge and awareness about the SPS Agreement and the SPS Committee, but also 
on identifying actions to address specific implemen tation challenges and opportunities at the national 
level.  Throughout the course, each participant had to develop an action plan, which was expected to 
be implemented in their countries upon their retu rn.  The implementation stage was assisted and G/SPS/R/69 
Page 18  
 
  monitored by coaches, as well as through a follow-up session nine m onths after the course.  The 
course included the participation of representatives fr om Codex, IPPC, the OIE, the Advisory Center 
on WTO Law (ACWL) and ITC.  
86. The Secretariat noted that the E-Learning C ourse on the SPS Agreement was available all 
year long, in the three WTO official languages.  Further information on SPS Technical Assistance 
activities could be obtained on the WTO website ( http://www.wto.org/sps/ta ). 
87. Argentina thanked the Secretariat for its particip ation and useful contribution in the Course on 
the Annexes to the Marrakesh Agreement concerni ng agricultural products as part of the Agri-
Industry trade specialization in collaboration with th e University of Buenos Aires with the support of 
the Ministry of Agriculture.  Argentina also tha nked Secretariat for the training provided on SPS and 
TBT notifications. 
88. Chile thanked the Secretariat for the two SPS workshops held in Santiago, Chile in 
September.  One of the workshops was a basic course while the second workshop was targeted at 
more advanced participants who were required to undertake the SPS e-learning course prior to the 
session. 
89. Mexico thanked the Secretariat for the suppor t and contribution prov ided in the workshop 
held in Mexico City in September, which was directed to government officials involved in SPS 
matters 
90. Morocco stated that the WTO held on 18-19 September a national SPS workshop in Morocco.  
The workshop was possible thanks to the Belgian and Technical Cooperation Body (BTC) which help 
ensure that officials from outside the capital could ta ke part in the event.  The participants were 
provided with accommodation.  The goal of the workshop was to provide SPS information to 
government officials and also to raise awarene ss among private entities on the importance of the SPS 
Agreement and on the impact of SPS measures on in ternational trade.  The workshop was attended by 
around 80 participants from the civil service, privat e sector and journalists.  The workshop took place 
over two days and gathered significant media covera ge.  Morocco thanked the Secretariat for helping 
make the workshop a success and extended its thanks  to the Belgium Development.  Finally, Morocco 
called upon developing countries to develop this t ype of workshops emphasizing the benefits they 
represent, even to consumers who follo w the workshops through newspapers. 
91. Burkina Faso, spoke on behalf of the 24 particip ants of the ASPS, and thanked the Secretariat 
for the opportunity to partake in the training as it w ould help them strengthen their national expertise.  
Burkina Faso also thanked the Secretariat for th e workshop that would be held in November 2012. 
(ii) Standards and Trade Development Facility (STDF) 
92. The STDF Secretariat provided an update on STDF Activities since the last Committee 
meeting and highlighted some of STDF's planned initiatives (G/SPS/GEN/1193).  The STDF 
organized, in collaboration with the IPPC Secretar iat and the OIE, a seminar on International Trade 
and Invasive Alien Species (IAS) in Geneva on Ju ly 2012.  The seminar was attended by more than 
100 participants.  The seminar provided an opportunity for focused discussion on IAS and 
international trade between the SPS community an d stakeholders involved in the Convention on 
Biological Diversity (CBD);  and to raise awaren ess about the mutually supportive objectives of the 
WTO SPS Agreement and the contribution of effective SPS control systems to help protect against the entry of harmful species, including pests, diseases and other IAS.  Participants agreed on conclusions 
and specific actions to improve the management of tr ade-related IAS.  One of the key conclusions was 
that measures to prevent the entry,  spread and establishment of IAS via trade, that aim to protect  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 19 
 
 
  human, animal and plant life or health or territo ry, fall within the scope of the SPS Agreement and 
should abide by its provisions.  
93. On capacity building activities, the STDF co-org anized a meeting with the African Union 
Commission on regional SPS coordination and capac ity building in Africa;  the workshop was 
attended by 24 participants from Regional Ec onomic Communities (RECs) (COMESA, ECOWAS, 
IGAD and SADC), three STDF partners (FAO, OIE and WTO) and AUC, AU-IBAR and AU-IAPSC.  
The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the ro le and function of the AUC, its technical offices 
and the RECs in adding value to SPS coordination an d capacity building initiatives at the continental, 
regional and national level.  The STDF presented the findings and conclusions of the 2010 STDF 
study "Regional SPS Frameworks and Strategies in Africa" while the RECs and AU technical 
agencies presented their on-going and planne d SPS initiatives and programs.  The meeting 
brainstormed on the establishment of a Contin ental SPS Working Group and discussed its potential 
terms of reference. 
94. The STDF has had a continue collaboration in va rious other activities and initiatives to share 
experiences, promote synergies, and enhance coordi nation.  For instance, the STDF contributed to 
various events, in Africa and elsewhere, provi ding training, highlighting experiences and good 
practice and sharing information about STDF's work. 
95. The STDF provided information on the Multi-criteria Decision Analysis Tool, a decision-
support tool to help inform SPS decision-making, specifically the prioritization of SPS capacity building options or investments to  address particular SPS issues or problems affecting the flow of 
specific products into particular markets.  The MCDA looks at SPS problems and impacts of 
investments for trade, domestic agri-food sector, so cio-economic impacts, etc.  Following the initial 
two STDF-supported applications in Africa (Mo zambique and Zambia), work was underway, in 
collaboration with COMESA, to u se the framework in other African  countries.  Belize had recently 
applied this framework with the support of the STD while work in Viet Nam was currently under way 
to use the MCDA Tool.  The STDF has organized a MCDA workshop for Asia and Pacific Region 
that would be held in Bangkok, Thailand on 12-13 November.  The objective of the workshop was to 
increase knowledge about the MCDA Tool and its use to prioritize SPS capacity building needs;  
provide practical skills to enable participants to apply the MCDA Tool in their countries and use the 
associated computer software;  and to obtain f eedback to further improve the MCDA Tool.  The 
STDF will fund the participation of 30 participants. 
96. The STDF stated that the STDF working group approved the STDF working plan for 2013, in 
line with the STDF's medium-term strategy (2012-2016) .  In addition to the on-going activities, new 
work will include one key activity on trade facilitatio n.  This new activity would focus on enhancing 
understanding among SPS practitioners and staff of cust oms authorities in developing countries about 
the role of SPS agencies in tr ade facilitation, and on identifyi ng key needs, opportunities and good 
practices to enhance the effective engagement of  SPS agencies in collaborative border management.  
The activity was expected to comprise a regional resear ch in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Latin 
America and the Caribbean to identify, analyse and document examples of how SPS agencies were working together with customs and other border agencies, and the publication of three regional 
reports;  publication of a synthesis study analysing  available experiences, good practices and lessons learned, and recommendations to promote and e nhance the role of SPS agencies in collaborative 
border management;  and , based on additional discu ssions, it may also organize a global-level event 
on SPS and Trade Facilitation in 2013 to raise aw areness on the role of SPS agencies in trade 
facilitation, and present and discuss the findings an d recommendations of the regional research work. 
97. A study on the spill-over effects of trade-related SPS projects and programmes on the 
domestic food safety situation in developing count ries would be soon implemented by the STDF in 
close collaboration with the FAO and the WHO.  The Study aims to draw key lessons to improve the G/SPS/R/69 
Page 20  
 
  design and delivery of future trade related technical assistance programmes.  It would include an open 
call for relevant projects and programmes to be  analysed during the course of this work. 
98. The STDF stated that its virtual library wo uld be launched in N ovember 2012 on the STDF 
website.  It would be a central repository contai ning SPS-related electronic documentation, including 
SPS needs assessments, action plans, training materi als, evaluations of projects funded by the STDF 
and other donors, research papers and articles fro m various publishers and sources.  The library 
intended to enable STDF Secretariat to better mana ge information and to assist beneficiaries and 
others involved in the implementation of SPS-rela ted capacity building initiatives.  Members were 
encouraged to share documents related to SPS technical cooperation and capacity building for 
inclusion in the Virtual Library.  
99. The STDF noted that the latest STDF working group had approved three projects and one 
project preparation grant (PPG).  The projects approved were:  (i) African Pesticide Residue Data Generation Project:  Strengthening regional capacity to meet pesticides export requirements based on 
international standards;  (ii) "CocoaSafe", Cap acity Building and Knowledge Sharing in SPS in Cocoa 
in South East Asia;  and (iii) Training of Phyto sanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) Facilitators.  The 
approved PPG related to Capacity building for af latoxin management and control in groundnuts in 
Malawi.  Additionally, the STDF working group a pproved, conditionally, one PPG with SADC to 
promoting the effective participation of S ADC Member States in the WTO SPS Committee. 
100. Finally, the STDF noted that LDCs and devel oping country Members were eligible to apply 
for STDF funding.  The STDF aimed to devote at least 40% of the STDF resources for projects and PPGs to LDCs, other middle income and upper middle income Members were also welcome to apply;  
Members at a higher state of development would be required to contribute with a higher percentage of 
the cost of the project.  STDF reminded Members th at full details on eligibility criteria and the types 
of requests most likely to be supporte d could be found in the STDF website 
(http://www.standardsfacility.org ). 
101. Malawi stated that the submission of the PPG , approved by the STDF working group, was the 
result of the application of the MCDA tool which identified various SPS priorities areas, among 
which aflatoxin management was included.  Malawi  thanked the financial assistance from the USAID, 
and the support from the STDF.  
102. Belize thanked the STDF for the approval of the pr oject grant that has yielded positive results.  
Belize stated that other ministries at the national level were looking positively to the results of the 
tool.  Belize also thanked the STDF for the invitati on to be able to share Belize experiences at the 
regional workshop to be held in Asia Pacific. 
103. The African Union thanked the STDF for allowi ng the African Union to have a capacity 
building strategy, done in collaboration with CABI in Nairobi.  Further collaboration with the STDF 
was being explored by the African Union.  
104. ECOWAS thanked the WTO for inviting ECOW AS to the recent WTO STDF technical 
assistance activity in Ethiopia, in which it lear ned about the MCDA framework.  ECOWAS expressed 
interest in working with the STDF to use this fra mework for the region.  ECOWAS also reported on 
several workshops conducted on the region on th e sanitization training of trainer workshop for 
member countries which focus on science based methods  in standard setting and in agricultural trade 
negotiations , some of them conducted in colla boration with AUIBAR under the PAN SPSO project.  
In order to improve coordination of SPS Activiti es, ECOWAS conducted workshops of the regional 
consultative committee on SPS standards, leading to th e development of a triennial work programme.  
ECOWAS also reported on the mainstreaming of SPS activities in the ECOWAS agricultural policy, 
which is the main policy for implementi ng agricultural activities in the region.  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 21 
 
 
  105. COMESA thanked STDF for the support provided in  various technical activities, particularly 
in applying the MCDA tool which helped many co untries to received bilateral support from other 
partners.  COMESA also thanked the United St ates and the United Kingdom, through the DFID, for 
the support provided following the application of the MCDA tool.  Additionally, COMESA thanked 
the Committee granting COMESA observer status, and stated that in the future COMESA should be 
able to report on specific SPS activities ca rried out by COMESA's membership. 
(b) Information from Members 
106. Pakistan highlighted the importance of global c ooperation in the area of technical assistance.  
One example was stem rust, an old disease that had affected all wheat producer Members in one way 
or another.  In the 1950's, this disease destroyed wh eat fields in North America and other parts of the 
world, however effective collaboration among global research systems, donors' long-term 
commitments and national research and commodity pr ogrammes led to the development of resistant 
varieties as well as to higher productivity.  The disease was dormant for a long time, however a recent discovery Ug-99 in Africa had caused Members to b ecome more active on this issue.  If funding on 
this disease had not been reduced to half in th e late 1970s and early 1980s, it would have been 
possible to detect Ug-99 earlier, providing a longer l ead period to develop a resistant variety.  Since 
the Ug-99 discovery, institutions like ICARDA , CIMMYT, FAO and the Borlaug Global Rust 
Initiative (BGRI) were working actively to come up with  resistant varieties.  Ug-99 could be a threat 
to world wheat production as it was predicted to sp read to Yemen, then to the Middle East and 
subsequently to central and south Asia.  In view the risk to food security, Pakistan had screened its 
wheat germplasm against the disease and had released resistant varieties during recent years through 
breeding programmes with the help of BGRI, CIMMYT  and ICARDA.  Pakistan highlighted the need 
for IPPC to play an active role in the surveilla nce of the disease, including building the capacity of 
NPPOs, strengthening the breeding capacity of de veloping countries, human resource development, 
institutional collaboration, univers ity linkage programmes, and access to scientific knowledge and 
laboratory data.  Timely allocation of resources to research and development and surveillance systems 
in developing country Members would help small farmers cope with the needs of changing seeds;  
one report indicated that the next decade would bri ng a complete change in the type of seed required 
for wheat. 
107. India thanked Pakistan for its efforts to find di sease resistant varieties and tackling of Ug-99.  
Pakistan's paper provided good basis for requesting technical assistance from standard-setting bodies 
to bring these disease resistant varieties to deve loping countries.  India endorsed the recommendation 
that IPPC play a greater role in tackling this pa rticular disease.  Turkey also supported Pakistan's 
recommendation with regards to cooperation on this disease. 
108. IPPC acknowledged that pest reporting was rela tively weak under the IPPC.  There were 
many more pests compared to animal diseases, and th e IPPC was trying to identify the top ten pests in 
terms of importance.  Surveillance was a major t opic of the IPPC implementation review and support 
system (IRSS), which aimed at analysing the real need for the implementation of IPPC standards.  
Following various surveys and regional workshops, the Asian Pacific Plant Protection Organization 
would host a meeting, funded by Korea, where the issue of surveillance would be intensively 
discussed. 
109. Australia stated that in re sponse to G/SPS/W/101, it had updated its report on SPS-related 
technical assistance.  Australia's SPS-related technical  assistance has been pr imarily aimed at helping 
developing country Members adjust to, and comply  with, SPS measures in their export markets.  It 
also assists developing country Members improve th eir capacity to develop and implement their own 
SPS measures based on science.  The SPS-related t echnical assistance given by Australia between 
July 2009 and June 2011 was over 37 million Aus$, benefitting 42 deve loping countries.  Full details 
of this assistance may be found in G/SPS/GEN/717/Add.3. G/SPS/R/69 
Page 22  
 
  110. Canada reported that during 2011 it implemente d a total of 18 SPS technical support projects, 
in a variety of geographical regions including Latin America, the Caribbean region, Central Asia and 
the Asia-Pacific region.  Canada committed 2. 2 million Can$ to these projects.  Canada was 
contributing five million dollars over the period of  2011-2014 to the STDF to support its coordination 
of international SPS activities and SPS capacity build ing in developing and least-developed country 
Members.  More detailed informa tion can be found in G/SPS/GEN/1196. 
(c) Information from Observers 
111. IPPC reported on the establishment of its Capa city Development Committee (CDC), and on 
the STDF-funded project for the development of global phytosanitary manua ls, standard operating 
procedures and training kits.  The IPPC phytosanitary resource page ( http://www.phytosanitary.info ) 
provided access to resources developed by the worl d's plant protection community, reviewed and 
approved on the basis of criteria developed by the electronic working group on Capacity Development.  Two databases were available to th e NPPOs and RPPOs on this resource page;  one on 
projects (global phytosanitary capacity developmen t projects database) and the other one on activities 
(global phytosanitary capacity de velopment activities database).  E-learning courses were also 
available through this page.  IPPC supported a nd/or attended eight regional workshops focusing on 
the Online Commenting System (OCS) and the implemen tation of standards.  A quick start guide was 
available through the top page of the OCS, and an y NPPO could request assistance on the OCS to the 
IPPC secretariat.  More details are available in G/SPS/GEN/1203. 
112. Codex highlighted some technical cooperation activities supported by the Codex Trust Fund, 
in addition to various projects on food safety and updating legislation and food control systems 
(G/SPS/GEN/1206).  Codex activities re lated to the participation of countries in the standard setting 
process, including the organization of a number of workshops carried out in collaboration with various Codex coordinating committe es (e.g., North America and the South West Pacific, Europe, 
Asia and Central Asia).  The Codex trust fund in  collaboration with the Committee on Food Hygiene 
(CCFH) initiated a pilot project during the revision of the principles for microbiological criteria, to 
encourage collaboration between countries with more  experience and those with less experience to 
develop concrete examples how to  apply microbiological criteria.  Additional information on the work 
of each of the Codex coordinating committ ees could be found in the Codex website. 
113. OIE indicated that over 60% of OIE members ha ve had Performance of Veterinary Services 
(PVS) evaluation missions, as reported in G/SPS/GEN/1198.  A significant number of the PVS missions have been followed-up with PVS gap analys is missions and PVS legislation missions.  OIE 
continued to develop and refine the evaluations and assessment tools and would shortly publish the 
sixth edition of the OIE PVS tool.  A separate PVS tool for the evaluation of aquatic animal health 
services would be available on the OIE website once finalized.  
114. IICA noted the 70th anniversary of IICA.  In September 2012, IICA held regional meetings in 
Latin America and the Caribbean to consider propos ed phytosanitary standards to be considered by 
the CPM in 2013.  There had also been meetings to  coordinate regional positi ons in support of the 
Codex Coordinating Committee of Latin America and the Caribbean (CCLAC).  Assistance was 
provided to strengthen the nationa l Codex committees in Costa Rica,  Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay and 
the United States funded a programme to promote the participation of the Americas in Codex 
committees for 2013.  The Inter-American Coordina tion Group for Plant Health (GICSV) - which 
included the regional plant protection organizations  of the American continent (NAPPO, OIRSA and 
COSAVE) - was being reactivated.  IICA provided technical assistance for a second round of 
meetings of the Central American Customs Un ion (UAC) SPS Committee.  An internally funded 
IICA project created a virtual school for phytosan itary inspectors in South America, following the 
model of the regional food inspection school organized  in Central America with STDF funding.  In 
July, the four-year project creating an epidemio logical surveillance network in the Caribbean  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 23 
 
 
  concluded.  This project, funded by the USDA/ APHIS with the participation of CIRAD and 
CaribVET, covered nine countries and provided traini ng for epidemiologist and para-epidemiologists, 
strengthened veterinary services, and ended with a simulation exercise on responding to animal health 
emergencies with the participation of 14 countri es and territories.  Additional information can be 
found in G/SPS/GEN/1195. 
115. ITC reported on an EIF project in Gambia to address food safety and quality issues and the 
technical barriers hindering market access for Ga mbian exports of ground  nuts, cashew nuts and 
sesame.  ITC was implementing a project in Senega l, under the Netherlands trust fund, to create a 
competitive and sustainable value chain for mango exports to Europe, including compliance with 
GlobalGAP requirements, prevention and control of fruit fly infestations, training on good cold chain 
practices, and analysis of pesticide residues.  In Nigeria, ITC was supervising an STDF-funded project 
to expand exports of sesame and shea butter, incl uding construction of seven sites with processing 
machines.  A guide on EU market access conditions for pasta and flour, and a study on the quality and 
SPS infrastructures for flour and pasta exports from Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia were under 
development as part of the CIS regional trade de velopment project.  A project in Peru sought to 
enhance the competitiveness of small enterprises th rough compliance with food hygiene and safety 
requirements in international markets.  ITC launc hed a non-tariff measures survey in Indonesia, one 
of the largest NTM surveys carried out so far as pa rt of the global NTM project.  ITC's Standards Map 
allows users to compare private standards with re gards to, for example, social, environmental and 
economic criteria, geographic and product-related scopes, complian ce policies and requirements for 
implementation.  A paper series on the impacts of pr ivate standards on global value chains (part 1), on 
the producers level (part 2) and on the interplay of pu blic and private standards (part 3) were recently 
published and are available at:  http://www.standardsmap.org .  The World Export Development 
Forum, held in Indonesia, focussed on inter-regiona l trade between the ASEAN region, Latin America 
and Africa.  More details can be found in G/SPS/GEN/1205. 
116. The African Union (AU) conveyed gratitude fo r being granted observer status, which would 
enable it to strengthen continent-wide coordinati on and provide support to AU member states and the 
African regional economic communities.  A series of regional and national workshops focused on 
improving the efficiency of participation of African  nations in the activities of the Committee and in 
adoption of international standards.  The benefici aries of the workshops were experts on animal and 
plant health and food safety;  there was also in creased participation from the private sector and SPS 
focal points and notification authorities.  AU est ablished an SPS cluster to coordinate SPS matters 
with the technical offices.  A continent-wide SPS working group was devel oped to mainstream SPS 
issues in the comprehensive African Agricultura l Development Program Implementation and the 
process of creating a food safety authority w as underway.  More details in G/SPS/GEN/1201. 
117. OIRSA provided information on the various activiti es relating to training, technical assistance 
and dissemination of topics related to agricultura l health and trade;  support to the process of 
harmonization and equivalence;  suppor t in  regionalization;  and stre ngthening of national institutions 
to facilitate trade.  More details in G/SPS/GEN/1200. 
IX. REVIEW OF THE OPERATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SPS 
AGREEMENT 
(a) Issues Arising from the Second Review (G/SPS/W/259) 
(i) Use of Ad Hoc Consultations – Report on Informal Meeting 
118. The Chairperson reported on an informal meeting on ad hoc consultations  held in the morning 
of Wednesday, 17 October.  In this meeting, sh e first provided a brief overview of the Committee’s 
discussions to date on the development of a pr ocedure that would provide more clarity and G/SPS/R/69 
Page 24  
 
  predictability when requesting the Chairperson's good offices to help Members resolve SPS-related 
concerns.   
119. The Chairperson had reminded Members of the discussions in the July informal Committee 
meeting, where, rather than discussi ng the third revision of the draft text prepared by the Secretariat, 
the interim Chairperson had asked the Committe e to focus the discussions on five unresolved 
elements impeding progress in the work.  That w as what the Committee had done.  In her summary of 
the informal meeting, the interim Chairperson had identified some areas where convergence seemed 
possible, and requested that the Secretariat circulate a revision 4 of document G/SPS/W/259 based on the Chair's summary. 
120. At this week's informal meeting, the Chai rperson had recalled that Revision 4 had been 
circulated in August, with a 17 September deadli ne for comments, and that the Secretariat had 
received 15 sets of comments from Members.  Some  of these comments were quite extensive, and 
often going in opposite directions.  In light of this, the Chairperson had asked the Secretariat not to 
issue a revision 5 of the document as this c ould bring the Committee backwards significantly.  
Instead, the Secretariat had produced a compilation of comments which was made available to all 
delegates as a room document.  
121. Following this overview of the process, the Ch airperson had reported on the consultations 
held earlier this week with those Members who had submitted comments on G/SPS/W/259/Rev.4, on 
the best way to advance this issue. 
122. Everyone at the consultations had agreed that  revision 4 of document G/SPS/W/259 should be 
the basis for further work, and that  any changes to this document would have to be agreed by the 
Committee.  Also, all agreed on the need to find a way to advance th is work more rapidly than just 
discussing at each Committee meeting, only three times per year.  
123. In relation to how to move forward, the Chairp erson had highlighted four options that were 
identified in the consultations as a way to fast track the work:  
(1) have intersessional meetings in Geneva to discuss the subject;  
(2) establish an electronic working group;  
(3) hold meetings a couple of days before Committee meetings, when capital-based 
experts are present in Geneva;  and  
(4) combine the last two options, working el ectronically between Committee meetings 
and holding informal meetings or cons ultations on the margins of Committee 
meetings. 
124. After consulting with Codex and IPPC to learn about their experience with electronic working 
groups, the Chairperson had recommended that to move the process forward with Option 4, that is forming an electronic working group (e-WG) whic h would work in between Committee meetings, and 
hold informal meetings prior to the next Committ ee meeting.  Although some Members had preferred 
other options, delegates had said they were ready to move forward with the suggested approach.  
125. In order to have an effective e-WG, the Chai rperson had invited Members to volunteer to act 
as "stewards" on each of the five identified outstandi ng elements.  This proposal had received support, 
and the Chairperson had suggested to allow the five "stewards" to decide among themselves who 
would manage each of the five outstanding elements.  The stewards used the time remaining at the 
end of the informal meeting to meet and plan their organizational work.  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 25 
 
 
  126. The stewards back on their preliminary di scussions and suggested the following assignment 
of the five outstanding elements:   
(1) The mandatory/voluntary nature of the procedure - Switzerland ;  
(2) Issues of transparency/confidentiality - Brazil ;   
(3) The role of the facilitator – the United States ;   
(4) Timeframes for the procedure - Argentina ;  and  
(5) Relationship with NAMA/other initiatives - Pakistan.   
127. In addition, New Zealand and Canada signalled their willingness to be "co-stewards" of the 
process. 
128. Regarding the composition of the Working Group, Members had shared the view that this e-
WG should be open to all Members and the Chairper son had invited Members who were interested in 
working electronically to submit their e-mail address to the Secretariat (spscommittee@wto.org) by 
the end of October.  
129. Only one email address per Member would be accepted.  Otherwise, if the stewards were to 
receive comments from several officials representin g one Member, it would be difficult to determine 
the Member's official position.  Of course, the person who received the messages from the working 
group could circulate them internally to other in terested colleagues.  Members should inform the 
Secretariat of any subsequent changes to the e-mail address. 
130. Since the delegates acting as stewards would play a neutral facilitating role, a second email 
address should be submitted to re present that Member's position. 
131. All Members who indicated an interest in the e-WG would be included on an email list that 
would be distributed to all five stewards on 1 N ovember.  All Members thus had the opportunity to 
participate in all the five topic areas, with the work  proceeding in parallel.  At the informal meeting, 
Members seemed to be in agreement with this approach. 
132. Each steward should determine the language in  which she or he would manage the process 
and liaise with the e-WG Members.  The Secretariat had indicated that it could assist with translation 
of comments and proposals, if requested.  Ther e seemed to be agreement among Members on this 
issue. 
133. The deadlines suggested for the pr oposed process were as follows: 
(1) Members who were interested to be part of the electronic working group should 
submit one e-mail address to the Secretariat by 31 October 2012;  
(2) The Secretariat would provide to the stewards the email list of interested Members on  
1 November 2012 ; 
(3) The five stewards would submit to the Chair, through the Secretariat, the proposed 
compromise text on their particular issue no later than 15 January 2013 ; 
(4) These proposed compromises would be circulated to all members of the e-WG for the 
opportunity to provide comments no later than 15 February 2013 . 
134. The Chairperson had highlighted that following on this e-WG process, the next step would 
depend on the comments received.  If there seemed to be a clearly emerging consensus on compromise texts, the Secretariat would be asked to prepare a Revision 5 of G/SPS/W/259.  However, G/SPS/R/69 
Page 26  
 
  if the comments indicated significant differences of vi ews, then the Secretariat would instead circulate 
a compilation of the comments received, for further discussion. 
135. The Chairperson also suggested that a few days  prior to the March meeting, she would hold 
another open-ended informal mee ting and hoped that the Committee would then be in a position to 
finalize the procedure based on the co mpromises crafted by the stewards. 
136. Following the Chairperson's oral report, some Members suggested that guidelines be provided 
to steer the operations of the working groups and that these be shared with the Committee.  The 
Secretariat agreed to send the working proce dures agreed upon by the stewards.  The Committee 
agreed to proceed as proposed. 
X. MONITORING OF THE USE OF INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS 
(a) Proposed Revision to the Monitoring Procedure (G/SPS/W/268) 
137. The Chairperson recalled that at the previous  meeting, Argentina submitted a proposal to 
revise the monitoring procedure (G/SPS/W/268).  Some Members had requested more time to 
consider the proposed modifications. 
138. Argentina indicated that the aim of the proposal was to ensure th at the reports adopted by the 
Committee on the monitoring of the use of interna tional standards better reflect the actual importance 
of the international standards.  The proposed m odifications to the procedure in G/SPS/11/Rev.1 would 
enable the Secretariat to include in the a nnual report, unless the submitting Member requested 
otherwise, the issues that have been raised unde r the agenda item on Specific Trade Concerns when 
these related to non-use of international sta ndards or the absence of existing standards. 
139. In support of Argentina's proposal, Chile noted th at at the Transparency workshop held earlier 
in the week, the Secretariat demonstrated that it was possible while notifying a measure using the 
online notification system, to indicate any deviation from the existing international standards.  Chile 
observed that more than 57% of notifications did not indicate any internatio nal standards, even in 
cases where the standards existed.  The notificatio n system could be further developed to make it 
another tool for monitoring harmonization. 
140. While Canada agreed that the procedure to monitor international harmonization could be 
improved, it was a Member's right to identify problems related to deviation from international 
standards and raised them either as "Specific Trade Concerns (STCs)" or under the agenda item 
"Monitoring the use of International Standards". 
141. The Chairperson noted the lack of consensus on the proposal by Argentina and suggested that 
this be discussed again at the next Committee m eeting.  Bilateral discussions amongst Members on 
the subject matter was encouraged. 
(b) New Issues 
(i) Importance of International Standards a nd Adoption – Concerns of the United States 
142. The United States encouraged all Members to pr omote the use of international standards in 
their national SPS programmes and to actively particip ate in the on-going work of the three standard 
setting bodies recognised under the SPS Agreement.  The work in progress included the OIE's 
General session in May 2012 where 29 standards were adopted by the Terrestrial Animal Health Code 
Commission;  and the Codex Commission's adopti on of a large number of standards, including  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 27 
 
 
  maximum residue limits for the veterinary drug ractopa mine.  International standards were critical for 
ensuring safe food for consumers and facilitating trade. 
143. Brazil, Canada, Chile and Paraguay also stressed the importance of international standards.  
The international standards setting bodies needed to  be inclusive to achieve harmonization.  By 
participating in the work of the ISSBs and ascribi ng to these international standards, Members would 
contribute to minimizing diverging requirements. 
144. Benin, Burkina Faso and Morocco recognized the importance of the standard-setting bodies, 
and noted the problem faced by developing countri es in conducting risk assessments in the absence of 
standards.  An appeal was made to speed up the pr ocess of standards setting, especially where there is 
a need for specialist / technical knowledge, and to  support developing countries in producing local 
exposure data for conducting risk assessment.  Burk ina Faso urged the renewal and increase of the 
Codex Trust Fund in order to suppor t developing countries in the adoption of international standards. 
(c) Issues Previously Raised  
145. IPPC reported on its Implementation Review and Support System (IRSS) 
(G/SPS/GEN/1204).  The IRSS system provides a help desk to address specific issues identified by 
member countries. 
146. Codex indicated that it did not have a specific system of monitoring like the IPPC, but 
regularly gathered information on how Codex sta ndards were being used, the needs of Member 
countries and/or why standards were not being u sed in certain regions.  Codex used a regular 
questionnaire for this monitoring process.  The Code x trust fund initially had the objective of ensuring 
effective participation and addressing the issue of ge neration of data to ensure risk assessments were 
based on data gathered throughout the world.  The Trust Fund was financing pilot projects relating to 
food hygiene and food safety as part of the capacity  building on the regional and sometimes national 
level. 
XI. CONCERNS WITH PRIVATE AND COMMERCIAL STANDARDS (G/SPS/55, 
G/SPS/W/256, G/SPS/W/261, G/SPS/W/265) 
(a) Report on the Informal Meeting 
147. The Chairperson reported on an informal mee ting on SPS-related private standards held on 
17 October 2012.  At the informal meeting, th e Chairperson had recalled that the Committee had 
agreed to develop a working definition of SPS-relate d private standards in order to set the framework 
within which it would discuss the issue.  Agr eed Action 1 (G/SPS/55) did not propose a legal 
definition, but merely sought a framework to limit the scope of issues considered by the Committee. 
148. The Chairperson had also reca lled that following the first round of discussions on a working 
definition of SPS-related private standards in Ma rch (document G/SPS/W/265), a first revision of the 
proposed definition had been prepared  for consideration at our July informal meeting.  The Secretariat 
had subsequently prepared a second revision of  document G/SPS/W/265 to reflect the comments 
made in July, for consideration at this informal meeting. 
149. The Secretariat had introduced the revised draft working definition in G/SPS/W/265/Rev.2 
and highlighted the additional sets of brackets in th e text.  In light of the lack of progress towards 
agreement on a working definition of SPS-related priv ate standards, the Chairperson had invited the 
Committee to step back from the cu rrent draft definition and explore new options on how to define 
what we are talking about. G/SPS/R/69 
Page 28  
 
  150. Canada had proposed a new definition, which had prompted a very fruitful exchange of new 
ideas.  Chile had also suggested a new text for a working definition, while several Members had 
suggested some modifications to one or both of these new proposals. 
151. Some Members had suggested creating a work ing group to try and reach agreement on a 
definition.  The Chairperson had noted that the recommendation for a working definition had 
emanated from the previous ad hoc working group a nd despite this fact, coming up with a definition 
still required substantial discussions. 
152. As requested in the previous informal meeting,  the Secretariat had reported that while there 
was relevant WTO jurisprudence on the definition of private and public bodies, there was no existing 
WTO jurisprudence on the definition of private or non-governmental entities. 
153. The Chairperson had concluded the discussion by requesting the Secretariat to circulate 
electronically to Members by mid-November the existing WTO jurisprudence on the definition of a 
private body.  Members had also been invited to submit to the Secretariat written suggestions on new 
texts for a working definition of SPS-related priv ate standards by 21 December.  The Secretariat 
would then circulate a compilation of the suggestions received by 31 January, for discussion at the 
March 2013 informal meeting. 
154. Under Action 3, the Secretariat had reported on relevant developments  on SPS-related private 
standards in other WTO fora, including (i) the publication of the 2012 World Trade Report which focused on TBT and SPS measures, (ii) a session on Non-Tariff Measures at the WTO Public Forum, 
and (iii) discussions on private standards at the October 2012 STDF Working Group meeting. 
155. Chile had noted the importance of increased awar eness of the operations of private standards-
setting organizations, and flagged that  both Codex and OIE were exploring ways to work with private 
standard-setting bodies. 
156. Regarding the implementation of Action 4, the European Union had noted that dialogue took 
place on an on-going basis with organizations involve d in developing private standards. The European 
Union highlighted its view that private standard s-setting bodies were becoming increasingly aware of 
the concerns faced by certain producers in meeting private standards and were adapting their practices 
to better facilitate trade flows.  The European Un ion had also noted the changing nature of private 
standard-setting bodies, becoming more responsive to  the needs of exporting countries in relation to 
private standards. 
157. The IPPC had encouraged Members to flag any concerns related to private standards in the 
area of plant health, although such types of standard  had not yet been identified in that area.  The 
representative of the OIE had confirmed that OIE kept communications open with private standards-
setting bodies to ensure that they followed the international standards set by the OIE. 
158. Some Members had suggested that action 6 should be adopted as recommended by the ad hoc 
group report and flagged the importance of excha nging information on private standards in the SPS 
Committee.  However, other Members, particularly New Zealand and the United States, had reiterated 
that any exchange of information on private sta ndards should be outside the formal and informal 
sessions of the SPS Committee.  
159. Regarding outstanding Actions 7 to 12, some Members had noted that work on developing a 
working definition of SPS-related private sta ndards should not preclude continuing work on the 
outstanding actions, and that they should be kept  on the agenda of our informal meetings.  Other 
Members had stated that there was no consensus on Actions 7 to 12 and that they were not prepared to 
work on those actions at this time.   G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 29 
 
 
  160. Belize had noted that the data gathered fo r the recent application of the Multi-Criteria 
Decision Analysis framework in Belize had shown that every single product being exported by the private sector was now being affected by private standards.  Belize, along with several other Members, had asked that the Committee keep working on the outstanding actions to try and reach consensus.  
161. In commenting on the report of the Chairperson,  Kenya noted that in reality, private standards 
influenced the way every day business operated a nd recommended that the texts be renegotiated and 
concluded.  
162. The Chairperson proposed that an informal mee ting to discuss this agenda item be organized 
within the margins of the March 2013 meeting. 
XII. REQUESTS FOR OBSERVER STATUS 
(a) Information from Observer Organizations 
163. No observer organization provided in formation under this agenda item. 
(b) Report of Informal Meeting (G/SPS/GEN/1157) 
164. The Chairperson reported on a closed informal meeting on observers held on 16 October.  
This was a sequel to the first informal meeting on  9 July, where the Committee had held a fairly 
general discussion on the role of observers, and in pa rticular on the role of the Three Sisters, on the 
basis of the Secretariat's background docum ent (G/SPS/GEN/1157) and the Chile-US proposal 
(G/SPS/W/267).  Members had been invited to subm it comments on the two documents, or on the role 
of observers more generall y, before 17 September. 
165. Comments had been received from Argentina,  Japan and New Zealand and had been 
circulated electronically on 2 October 2012.  The Chai rperson had also drawn attention to a document 
from the OIE, circulated as G/SPS/GEN/1197, regardi ng how it viewed its role in the SPS Committee.  
The Chairperson proposed that th e Committee discuss:  (1) the role of observer organizations, and the 
criteria for granting observer status;  (2) the role of  the Three Sisters;  and (3) outstanding requests for 
observer status. 
166. On the role of observer organizations and th e criteria for granting observer status, Members 
had been reminded of the chronology of relevant  decisions and guidelines adopted by the General 
Council and by the SPS Committee in deciding on requ ests for observer status.  Pending any further 
developments on the role of observers, there had b een considerable agreement to consider outstanding 
requests on a case-by-case basis while ensuring non-d iscriminatory treatment of applicants within 
similar categories - for example, regional technical bodies. 
167. Members had also shared the view that observer organizations not attending the Committee's 
meetings during a one-year period s hould first be advised and asked to confirm their interest in 
maintaining their observer status before applyi ng the General Council guidelines on the ceasing of 
observer status. 
168. There also seemed to be wide spread agreement that the role of observer organizations was to 
provide information regarding their standards, re levant activities and capacity-building work, but not 
to voice an opinion on the SPS m easures applied by any Member. 
169. On outstanding requests, some Members had indicat ed that they needed more time to consider 
the request and background document of the Inter governmental Authority on Development  (IGAD),  G/SPS/R/69 
Page 30  
 
  which had been submitted since the last meeting.  There had been no consensus to consider granting 
ad hoc observer status to any other organization at the meeting. 
170. In her summary of the informal meeting, th e Chairperson had proposed to suggest to the 
Committee, at its regular meeting unde r this agenda item, the following: 
(1) that the Committee agree to invite the orga nizations with ad hoc observer status to 
participate in all of the SPS Committee meetings in 2013 - with the exception of any 
closed meetings such as with regard to  observers - unless any Member raised an 
objection to the participation of any of these observers in advance of a meeting; 
(2) that if for any one-year period an ad hoc observer organization did not attend the 
meetings of the SPS Committee, the Committee may consider that its observer status 
had ceased only after the Secretariat had advised the observer organization and 
received confirmation that it was no longer interested in maintaining its observer status;  and 
(3) that pending the development of any furthe r criteria by the Committee regarding the 
role of observers, Members did not c onsider it appropriate for an observer 
organization to express an opinion or pass judgement with respect to Members' SPS 
measures.  Instead, observer organizations should provide information regarding their 
standards, technical assistance programmes and other relevant activities. 
171. Following the report of the informal meeting, the Committee agreed to the first two proposals 
by the Chairperson.  That is, the Committee agreed  to invite the organizations with ad hoc observer 
status to participate in all of the SPS Committee me etings in 2013 - with the exception of any closed 
meetings such as with regard to observers -  unless any Member raised an objection to the 
participation of any of these observers in advance of a meeting.  The Committee also agreed  that if 
for any one-year period an ad hoc observer organi zation did not attend the meetings of the SPS 
Committee, the Committee may consider that its obser ver status had ceased only after the Secretariat 
had advised the observer organization and received c onfirmation that it was no longer interested in 
maintaining its observer status. 
172. With respect to the third proposal regarding the role of observers, India highlighted its 
reservations on this proposal specifically in relation to  the organizations referred  to in Article 3.4 of 
the SPS Agreement.  India considered that the obser ver organizations could only provide information 
on on-going activities regarding their standards and cap acity building activities and not with respect to  
specific standards that were developed earlie r unless the Committee agreed to receive such 
information.  India further observed that Article 12.6 of the SPS Agreement indicated that the Three 
Sisters would examine specific standards only at th e request of the Committee and not at the request 
of the Chairperson alone.  India proposed that the Committee adopt language limiting the role of 
observers to providing information on "on-going activities" only. 
173. The Secretariat drew attention to  the fact that Article 12.6 had been formally invoked only on 
one prior occasion, when the Comm ittee formally requested the OIE to examine what would be the 
appropriate process and factors to consider in unde rtaking a risk assessment of Bovine Spongiform 
Encephalopathy (BSE).  On that occasion, the OIE had developed guidelines regarding the factors to 
be considered in a risk assessment of B SE and reported the same to the Committee. 
174. Canada recalled that the General Council d ecision WT/L/161 Annex 3 paragraph 8 of 1996 
provided that observer organization c ould be invited to speak / provide information, normally after the 
Members had spoken, but that the right did not exte nd to circulation of pape rs or participation in 
decision making.  India's proposal would restrict the role of observer organizati ons in contradiction to  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 31 
 
 
  the General Council decision.  The European Uni on and the United States also did not agree with 
India's proposed restrictions on the role of observe rs.  The Committee reached no decision on the role 
of observers. 
XIII.  CHAIRPERSON'S ANNUAL REPORT TO THE COUNCIL FOR TRADE IN GOODS 
175. The Chairperson noted that she would make a brief, factual annual report, under her own 
responsibility, on the activities of the Committee for c onsideration by the Council for Trade in Goods.  
The report would describe the main work undertak en during 2012, including the discussions on SPS-
related private standards, ad hoc consultations, and the workshop on transparency, and provide an 
overview of discussions under several agenda items.  A draft of the annual report was made available 
to delegates at the beginning of the meeting, and Members could provide comments on the draft 
annual report until 9 November 2012.  The final report was circulated as G/L/1013. 
XIV.  OTHER BUSINESS 
176. The Chairperson recalled that under this agenda  item Members were invited to raise other 
issues of concern, identified at the beginning of this meeting. 
(i) Indonesia's Permits on Horticultural Pr oducts – Concerns of the United States 
177. The United States was concerned about Indonesia's Ministry of Trade Regulation 30, notified 
to the Import Licensing Committee as G/LIC/Q/IDN/32;  and Ministry of Agriculture Regulation 60.  Neither of these measures had been notified to th e SPS Committee for comments by trading partners, 
yet both identified food safety as a primary objective.  Both regulations resulted in the implementation 
of an import permit system with the potential to di srupt trade, but gave e xporters and importers little 
information and no time to comply with the require ments.  Accordingly Indonesia was requested to 
notify both Regulations 30 and 60 and to provide time for comments before implementation, and also 
to provide scientific evidence that the import perm it system was necessary to protect human, animal 
and plant health.  
178. New Zealand supported the concerns of the Un ited States and encouraged Indonesia to 
provide greater clarity on its measures through timely notification to the relevant WTO Committees.  
179. Indonesia acknowledged the concerns of the Un ited States and New Zealand regarding the 
Regulation 60 of the Ministry of Agriculture and th e Ministry of Trade Regulation 30.  Regulation 60 
had been notified as an SPS measure, but the document  had not yet been circulated.  Indonesia noted 
that it had discussed the issue bilaterally w ith the United States and would follow-up.  
(ii) Brazil's Measures in Shrimp – Concerns of Ecuador 
180. Ecuador flagged the drastic decrease in its shri mp exports due to Brazil's Standard 99, that 
placed conditions on the authorization for shrimp im ports so as to prevent the introduction of white 
spot and yellow head virus.  Ec uador had spent considerable resources in protecting and preserving its 
shrimp production from these two diseases through th e residue and contaminant monitoring plans, 
which had been provided to Brazil.  The Brazilian authorities had indicated that the measures adopted 
in Standard 99 had been lifted;  however the Br azilian Ministry of Agriculture published another 
Standard 12 establishing procedures for import risk anal ysis that was yet to be implemented.  Bilateral 
discussions had resulted in information exchange and Ecuador hoped for a rapid mutual solution to 
the issue. G/SPS/R/69 
Page 32  
 
  181. Brazil noted that it had been informed of this trade concern at short notice and did not have 
sufficient time to prepare a substantive response.  The concerns would be conveyed to the relevant 
authorities in the hope that a solution could soon be found. 
XV. DATE AND AGENDA OF NEXT MEETING 
182. The Secretariat flagged that the dates for the next meetings of the Committee had been 
slightly changed:  the regular meetings of the Committee would be held on 21-22 March, 27-28 June 
and 9-10 October 2013.  Informal meetings on ad  hoc consultations, private standards and issues 
arising from the Third Review would be scheduled immediately prior to the regular meeting.  The 
informal meetings on ad hoc consultations and on  private standards would be open for participation 
by observer organizations, however the informal meeting on observers was not. 
183. The Committee agreed to the following tent ative agenda for its next meeting: 
1. Adoption of the agenda 
2. Information on relevant activities 
(a) Information from Members 
(b) Information from the relevant SPS standard-setting bodies 
3. Specific trade concerns 
(a) New issues 
(b) Issues previously raised 
[(c) Consideration of specific notifications received] (d) Information on resolution of issues in G/SPS/GEN/204/Rev.12 
4. Operation of transparency provisions 
5. Implementation of special and differential treatment 
6. Equivalence – Article 4 
(a) Information from Members on their experiences 
(b) Information from relevant  Observer organizations 
7. Pest- and Disease-free areas – Article 6 
(a) Information from Members on their pest or disease status 
(b) Information from Members on their experiences in recognition of pest- or 
disease-free areas 
(c) Information from relevant  observer organizations 
8. Technical assistance and cooperation 
(a) Information from the Secretariat 
(i) WTO SPS activities 
(ii) STDF 
(b) Information from Members 
(c) Information from Observers 
9. Review of the Operation and Implementation of the SPS Agreement 
(a) Issues arising from the Second Review 
(i)
 Use of ad hoc consultations – Report on informal meeting 
10. Monitoring of the use of international standards 
(a) Proposed revision to the monitoring procedure  G/SPS/R/69 
 Page 33 
 
 
  (b) New issues 
(c) Issues previously raised 
 
11. Concerns with private and commercial standards 
(a) Report on informal meeting 
12. Observers 
(a) Information from Observer organizations 
13. Report of informal meeting  
(a) Request for observer status 
(i) Ad hoc Observers 
(ii) Outstanding requests 
14. Election of Chairperson 
15. Other business 
16. Date and agenda of next meeting 
184. Members were asked to take note of the following deadlines: 
 For Members wishing to be a part of the ad hoc consultations group to provide one 
email address each to the Secretariat:  Wednesday, 31 October ; 
 Any comments / suggestions on the draf t Annual Report must be provided by: 
Friday, 9 November ; 
 For new proposals on a working definition on SPS-related private standards:  Friday, 
21 December ; 
 For identification of issues under the monitoring procedure or requesting that an item 
be included on the Agenda and for informi ng another Member if intending to raise a 
specific trade concern regarding their measure(s):  Thursday, 7 March 2013 ; 
 For the distribution of the Air-gram and the circulation of documents for discussion 
during the March meeting:  Friday, 8 March 2013 .  
185. Before adjourning the meeting, the Chairperson not ed that this would be the last meeting in 
which the Committee would be assisted by Ms Irma Bracco, who would be retiring from the WTO 
at the end of the year.  Ms Bracco had provided excellent assistance to every single meeting of the Committee since its inception.  The Committee gave an ovation to Ms Bracco and thanked her for 
her exceptional service. 
__________