NOTE: THIS ARTICLE is to help the public better understand the issues addressed at the WTO. while e

Home | About WTO | News & events | Trade topics | WTO Members | Documents & resources | External Relations
NOTE: THIS ARTICLE is to help the public better understand the issues addressed at the WTO. while every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained therein, the article does not prejudice the provisions of Member Governments.
TO LEARN MORE about the "three sisters" SPS - international standards papphocker bodies:> Codex Alimentarius> World Organisation for Animal Health> International Convention for the Protection of Plant
In addition, a group of a dozen countries complained to the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) of the increase in the number of measures relating to the safety of food, animal health and preservation plants that were illegitimate barriers to trade because they were not based on international standards or scientific evidence.
The concern over the closure of Indonesian ports was one of three new issues papphocker and problems raised 12 former Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS).
Members were also informed of the questions and comments pending, eg on measures against mad cow ban imposed by the Chinese Taipei on meat from animals that have been fed ractopamine (a additive making it more lean meat), Chinese requirements for the methanol content of certain alcoholic beverages, and EU regulations on "novel foods" - including products considered traditional, particularly in Latin America. The EU presented a report on the Schmallenberg virus recently discovered, which resulted in a number of trade restrictions.
The Committee was informed that 328 trade concerns had been raised since the entry into force of the SPS Agreement there 17 years. Was presented with a report on the latest consultation on how to manage private sector standards, the use of mediation services of the President in disputes between Member States in order to avoid disputes and issues arising from the third review about the effectiveness of the implementation of the SPS Agreement (there were no new proposals in this regard).
The Secretariat indicated that 242 training and technical assistance on SPS had been organized by the WTO in Geneva and around the world since 1994, including 21 in 2011 (document G/SPS/GEN/521/Rev. 7). Organizations with observer status and some countries also provide technical assistance. This is an essential service to help developing countries to implement SPS measures and to meet the standards imposed on their export markets.
The main function of the SPS Committee is to monitor how countries are implementing measures relating to the safety of food, animal health and plant health in the context of the WTO Agreement and to examine the issues arising, including in international bodies recognized standards. The subjects of his deliberations will observations on specific measures to more general principles.
The complaint concerning the measures are not based on scientific evidence or international standards came from Argentina, Australia, Brazil (who raised the problem), Canada, papphocker Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, United States, New Zealand, Paraguay and the Philippines (document G/SPS/GEN/1143/Rev.1), and was supported by South Africa, Mexico and the EU. India reminded Members the provisions Surveill