WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/994 
4 March 2010 
 
 (10-1188) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   Spanish 
  
 
ACTIONS AIMED AT THE IMPLEMENTATI ON OF THE WTO AGREEMENT ON THE 
APPLICATION OF SANITARY AND PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 
 
Communication from Argentina
 
 
 
 The following communication, received on 2 March 2010, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation of Argentina . 
 
_______________ 
 
 
I. INTRODUCTION 
1. In Argentina, the National Fruit Fly Contro l and Eradication Programme (PROCEM) was 
created in 19941 in order to facilitate international market  access for horticultural products and to curb 
the financial losses caused by Ceratitis capitata  (Mediterranean fruit fly) and Anastrepha fraterculus  
(South American fruit fly).  The programme consists of: 
• A permanent high-sensitivity network for the detection of Anastrepha fraterculus  and 
Ceratitis capitata,  as well as trapping centres for the early detection of other species 
of exotic fruit fly that are not present in Argentina; 
• control measures backed by the sterile insect technique coupled with chemical and 
crop control measures; 
• a quarantine protection system. 
2. 2006 saw the approval of the Phytosanitary Emergency Plan for Fruit-Fly Free Areas.2 
3. In 2006, in the framework of PROCEM, the fruit producing valleys of the Patagonia region 
(upper valley of the Rio Negro a nd Neuquén, middle valley of the Ri o Negro, lower valley of the 
Rio Negro, valley of the Rio Colorado, General Co nesa valley, central Patangonian Plateau and the 
lower Chubut River Valley) were declared to cons titute an area free from fruit flies of economic 
importance (Diptera, Tephritidae).3 
                                                      
1 Resolution ex IASCAV No. 134/1994. 
2 Resolution SENASA No. 152/2006. 
3 Order of the National Plant Protection Directorate No. 18/2006. G/SPS/GEN/994 
Page 2  
 
  Geographical Location of the Patagonian Region 
 
   
 
    
 
    
 
     
 
    
 
     
 
    
 
 
II. EMERGENCY PLAN FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT FLY 
4. On 14 April 2009, following an occurrence of Ceratitis capitata  in the peri-urban area of the 
town of General Roca, in the province of Rio Ne gro, an emergency fruit fly plan was launched by 
DNPV Order No. 1. 
5. A regulated area was established, within a circle of a radius of 7.2 kilometres with its 
epicentre located where the pest was detected (l atitude 39.0692 S and longitude 67.5467 W).  With 
the appearance of new cases, the area was extended by DNPV Order No. 2/09. 
6. Throughout the emergency period, the p hytosanitary measures provided for in 
Resolution SENASA No. 152/06 were applied. 
 G/SPS/GEN/994 
 Page 3 
 
 
  A. DETECTION AND CONTROL SYSTEM  
7. An additional network of traps was set up (with  Jackson and McPhail traps) and samples were 
taken in accordance with the guidelines laid  down in the National Emergency Plan. 
8. Control activities were conducted using bait insec ticides and soil insecticides coupled with a 
massive release of sterile insects. 
B. QUARANTINE MEASURES  
9. With the implementation of the emergency plan , exports from the regulated area to markets 
with fruit fly quarantine restrictions of host fru it that had not undergone the necessary quarantine 
treatment were suspended. 
10. The host fruit from the regulated area was deta ined until phytosanitary measures had been 
introduced to ensure minimum risk to the rest of  the Patagonia region and to other areas covered by 
the official programme with pest-free status.  To th at end, the private sector was asked to notify the 
stocks of fruit prior to the emergency as we ll as the destination of the regulated fruit. 
11. Checkpoints were set up to monitor compliance with the protection measures and 
documentation required for the vehicles transporting host plant products. 
12. Inspections were conducted, origin verified  and phytosanitary conditions checked in 
collection and distribution centres, cold storage plants, packing warehouses and industries. 
C. COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION  
13. Meetings were held with representatives of th e private sector and with delegations from third 
countries to provide updates on the action taken.  Ra dio and television intervie ws were also conducted 
together with massive press campaigns. 
D. TERMINATION OF THE PHYTOSANITARY EMERGENCY  
14. With the completion of the technical, opera tional and legal measures provided for in 
SENASA Resolution No. 152/06, the necessary cond itions were fulfilled and it was possible to 
terminate the phytosanitary fruit fly em ergency through DNPV Order No. 3/09. 
Note: Further information on the National Fr uit Fly Control and Eradication Programme 
(PROCEM) and the activities conducted under the programme can be obtained from the 
National Enquiry Point: 
  Servicio Nacional de Sanidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria  Unidad de Relaciones Internacionales  Tel.:  + (54 11) 4121 5353 
 Fax:  + (54 11) 4121 5360 
 E-mail/Internet:  relint@senasa.gov.ar  Website:  http://www.senasa.gov.ar
 
 
__________