. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/N/SGP/34 
19 April 2007 
 (07-1638) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
 
NOTIFICATION 
 
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  SINGAPORE
 
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible:  Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules 
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where applicable):   Frozen  whole-shell oyster, frozen half-shell oyster  and frozen oyster meat 
under HS 03071010 & 03071020  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  All 
countries 
5. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:  Requirement for Import 
of Frozen Whole-Shell Oysters, Frozen Hal f-Shell Oysters and Frozen Oyster Meat into 
Singapore (available in English) 
6. Description of content:  To require pre-export testing for norovirus on all consignments of 
frozen oysters, whether in whole-shell, half-s hell or oyster meat.  The competent authorities 
of the exporting countries are to certify that the consignments to be exported to Singapore 
have been tested and found free of norovirus.  This is in add ition to the current requirements 
of a health certificate to be issued by a relevant Government authority stating that:  
(a) the oysters were harvested from approved waters and processed in an approved 
establishment/plant in a sanita ry and hygienic manner;  
(b) the oysters have not been treated with chemical preservatives and additives 
injurious to health;  and  
(c) the product is fit for human consumption. 
7. Objective and rationale: [ X ] food safety,  [   ] animal health,  [  ] plant protection, 
[   ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease, [   ] protect territory from other damage from pests   
The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore has found oysters imported from 
several countries to be contaminated with norovirus.  Oysters, when consumed raw, present 
a significant food safety risk to consumers, especially from norovirus contamination.  The 
new requirement is to mitigate the risk.  G/SPS/N/SGP/34 
Page 2  
 
  8. International standard, guideline or recommendation: 
[   ] Codex Alimentarius Commission,  [   ] World Organization for Animal Health 
(OIE), [  ] International Plant Protection Convention,  [ X ] None 
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate 
reference and briefly identify deviations:   
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Available in English 
10. Proposed date of adoption:  1 June 2007 
11. Proposed date of entry into force:  1 June 2007 
12. Final date for comments:  25 May 2007 
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [   ] National notification 
authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if 
available) of other body:  As in paragraph 13  
13. Texts available from:  [ X ] National notification authority, [ X ] National enquiry 
point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:   
Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore 
(Attn: Dr Tay Choon Nghee) 5 Maxwell Road, #02-03 Tower Block, MND Complex Singapore 069110 
Republic of Singapore 
E-mail:  tay_choon_nghee@ava.gov.sg