. /.   WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/654 
27 March 2006 
 
 (06-1365) 
Committee on Sanitary and 
Phytosanitary Measures Original:   Spanish 
 
 
 
DIFFICULTIES WITH INTERNATIONA L TRADE IN GRAIN, FRUIT, 
VEGETABLES AND TUBERS BECAUSE OF RESTRICTIONS 
DUE TO FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE 
 
Communication from Argentina  
   The following communication, received on 24 Marc h 2006, is being circulated at the request 
of the delegation of Argentina. 
 
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Background 
 1. In May 2002, the region of Argentina situated south of the 42° parallel was recognized by the 
OIE as being free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) without vaccination.  In July 2003, the OIE recognized the rest of the country as being free from FMD with vaccination.  As part of the process of 
recognition by the relevant technical body, Argent ina's trading partners began recognizing the above 
statuses and recommencing trade that had been suspended. 
2. In August 2003, a breakout of FMD was detect ed on Argentina's northern border, in the 
province of Salta, and was reported internationall y.  The mitigation procedures recommended by the 
OIE were applied.  In January 2005, the Scientific Commission re-a ttributed to Argentina FMD-free 
status with vaccination north of the 42° parallel. 
3. On 8 February 2006, a breakout of FMD was det ected in an establishmen t in the department 
of San Luis del Palmar (province of Corrientes).  The procedures prescribed by the Health Code were 
immediately put into effect, and detection of th e breakout was notified to the OIE and to all of 
Argentina's trading partners.  Th is elicited different reactions. 
4. It is Argentina's understanding that, as establis hed by the OIE's Terrestrial Animal Health 
Code – 2005 in its Chapter on Foot -and-Mouth Disease (2.2.10), only straw and forage are subject to 
regulation for the purposes of trade (Article 2.2.10. 28).  This provision is exhaustive as regards the 
conditions governing the movement of such commod ities from FMD-infected zones or countries.  No 
other agricultural product is regulated by this provi sion in respect of domestic trade, international 
trade or the movement of goods. 
5. The OIE document entitled " International standards concerning the risks of foot and mouth 
disease associated with trade in animals and animal products " has also been examined.  After listing 
the products in the Code which should be subject to regulation, it clearly states the following: 
 " The Code considers other commodities, including  cereal grains, fruit, vegetables and tubers, 
as not likely to present such a risk
". G/SPS/GEN/654 
Page 2  
 
  Problems noted 
 
6. Although most of our trading partners ha ve included only regulations based on the 
OIE standards and recommendations, some Members have laid down provisi ons regulating grain, 
fruit, vegetables, tubers and other such commodities,  even going so far as to provide regulations for 
thermoprocessed products p ackaged for retail sale, such as maté and tea. 
7. Argentina is extremely concerned about regul ations of this kind, which are clearly 
disproportionate to the risk involved and are not b ased on any scientific evidence.  It therefore alerts 
this Committee to lack of observance of the intern ational standard in question and to the problems 
noted in international trade in agricultural products.  Argentina also wishes to point out that it has 
initiated the appropriate bilateral m eetings with the few trading partners that have established such 
regulations and will keep the Comm ittee informed of developments. 
 
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