WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/GEN/123/Add.3
9 March 2000
(00-0903)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
DIOXIN CONTAMINATION OF CERTAIN ANIMAL PRODUCTS INTENDED
FOR HUMAN OR ANIMAL CONSUMPTION
Supplementary Information from the European Communities
Addendum
1. Since the incident in January 1999, in which some Belgian animal feed became contaminated
with dioxin, the Commission has introduced a series of measures to protect public and animal health
within the European Communities and in third coun tries.  At first, until the extent of the
contamination was established, the measures were wi de ranging, affecting most products derived from
land animals and poultry.
2. Third countries have been informed of the imp lications of the Decisions through information
notes G/SPS/GEN/123 and Add. 1 and 2 issued through the WTO Secretariat, through the information
meetings held by the European Commission in Brussels to which all third country missions in
Brussels were invited, and through information notes to all third country missions in Brussels.
3. The results of the scientific investigation conducted by the Belgian authorities permitted the
Commission, acting on the advice of the Standing Veterinary Committee, to lift the restrictions ondairy products in July and on cattle and cattle products in September 1999, as investigations showed
no evidence that these sectors were affected by the contamination incident.  Consequently there are no
restrictions in these sectors.
4. Since then, attention has focussed on the poultry and pig sectors, for which there was some
evidence that contamination had occurred.  Tests are being carried out on the basis of the established
maximum tolerance levels laid down in Annex A of  the Decision for the seven PCB-congeners, which
are considered to be reliable indicators for the pos sible presence of dioxin in this particular case of
contamination.  The levels are based on the findings of a Commission working group and the
recommendations of the Scientific Committee for Food.
5. Following the results of extensive monitoring and additional safeguard measures introduced
by the Belgian authorities, the Commission on 4 December 1999 adopted Decision 1999/788/EC,
lifting the restrictions on live pigs and poultry and hatching eggs, and on products derived from pigsand poultry slaughtered after 20 September 1999 or from eggs laid after that date.
6. In January 2000, the Belgian authorities informed the Commission that the analytical
programmed launched to test and accredit all poultry holdings in Belgium had been completed, and
that all Belgian poultry holdings are now certified by the Belgian authorities as not contaminated by
dioxins or PCBs.  In addition, eggs laid before 20 September 1999 and all the products derivedtherefrom have been identified and have been subjected to appropriate investigation, including
analysis.  This investigation has been carried out since July 1999 without disclosing any contaminated
products.  Furthermore, the results of Belgian surveillance programmes in the feed sector have notG/SPS/GEN/123/Add.3
Page 2
shown positive results linked to dioxin contaminati on in feed ingredients and compound feedingstuffs
produced after 2 April 1999.
7. The identification and investigation of all the stock of pigmeat, poultry meat, and products
derived from animals slaughtered before 20 September 1999 has not yet been completed.
8. In the light of this information, the Standing Veterinary Committee, on 9 February 2000,
voted in favour of a Commission Decision, amendi ng Decision 1999/788/EC, which was adopted on
22 February as Commission Decision 2000/150/EC (Official Journal L 50 of 23 February 2000).  This
Decision lifts the restrictions on eggs and derived products, and on rendered fats, processed animal
proteins, compound feedingstuffs and pre-mixtures.  These products may now circulate freely in the
European Communities, and be exported to third countries without a requirement that they have been
tested for dioxin or PCBs.
9. The standard health certificates laid down in Decision 1999/788/EC have been modified to
take account of the new situation.  However, certificates made in accordance with previous Decisions
and issued before the entry into force of the new Decision remain valid.
10. In summary, all animals, products of animal origin including eggs and egg products,
feedingstuffs and feed raw material from all EC member States may be traded in the European
Communities without restriction, whatever the date of production, except for pigs and poultry and
their meat and meat products from Belgium unless accompanied by a certificate that they:
• have been tested for the presence of dioxin or PCBs with negative results, or
• are derived from animals reared in Belgium before 15 January 1999 or slaughtered
after 20 September 1999.
These conditions do not apply to products containing less than 2 per cent animal fat from Belgium,
which may, in any case, be traded without restrictions.
11. Copies of Commission Decisions 2000/250/EC and 1999/788/EC (available in all EC
languages) can be obtained from the EC SPS Enquiry Point, or on the EUR-Lex site
(http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex).
12. The European Commission will remain in touch with Belgian authorities and adjust the
measures to take account of any new information.
13. As regards trade with third countries, the general situation reflects the development of the
dioxin crisis with import barriers being lowered gradually as scientific data have unveiled the extent
of the contamination and the measures introduced by the Belgian authorities have made their impact.
14. However, some trade difficulties with third countries including Members of the WTO prevail.
A number of WTO Members have notified import restrictions related to the dioxin contamination that
go beyond the measures applied by the European Communities.  Other Members have applied such
restrictions without notifying them to the WTO.  Exporters from EC member States have drawn the
attention of the European Commission to the fact th at some of these WTO Members continue to apply
these restrictions in spite of the information prov ided by the European Commission multilaterally and
bilaterally as the investigation into the extent of the contamination proceeded.
15. Following is a list of notifications to which the European Communities has sent written
comments to seek clarification in accordance with Article 5.8 of the SPS Agreement.G/SPS/GEN/123/Add.3
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Notification Date of Issue Measure Date EC
Comments
G/SPS/N/COL/28 EM
Colombia20 October 1999 Suspension of imports from
Belgium, France, Germany
and the Netherlands  of pigs,
poultry and derived products,
which represent a risk of dioxincontamination.31 January 2000
G/SPS/N/HUN/6 EM
Hungary8 July 1999 Ban on food products of animal
origin and animal feed from
France, Germany and the
Netherlands.31 January 2000
G/SPS/N/MYS/6 and
Add.1 EM
Malaysia10 and
29 June 1999Ban on meat products, dairy
products, eggs and egg products
from the European
Communities.31 January 2000
G/SPS/N/PRY/1 EM
Paraguay19 August 1999 Import restrictions on animals
and animal products from
Belgium, France and the
Netherlands.31 January 2000
G/SPS/N/SGP/6 and 7
EM
Singapore8 June 1999 Ban on meat and egg products
from Belgium .
Demand for certification of meat
and egg products from the
European Communities.31 January 2000
G/SPS/N/URY/3 and
Rev.1 EM
Uruguay17 June and
14 July 1999Ban on products of animal
origin and feed from Belgium .
Suspension of imports of
products of animal origin and
feed from the European
Communities.31 January 2000
16. From the beginning and throughout the dioxin crisis precaution and transparency have been
the leading principles in the action taken by th e European Communities.  The European Communities
immediately put in place strict safeguard measures to protect public health within the European
Communities and in third countries when the dioxin contamination was reported in May last year.The measures have been gradually relaxed only after intensive scientific investigation, including an
extensive programme for testing and certification in the various sectors, applying the strict levels set
by the European Communities for dioxin- and PCB-tolerance.
17. Detailed information has been provided to all WTO Members and other third countries
whenever the safeguard measures have been changed.  This information has covered both the nature
and the scientific and analytical rationale behind the decision to change the measures.G/SPS/GEN/123/Add.3
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18. The European Communities is concerned that a considerable number of third countries
including many WTO Members continue to apply safeguard measures related to the contamination
that are considerably more restrictive than thos e governing trade within the European Communities.
In the light of the available information, the European Communities considers these restrictions
unjustified and would welcome information on the scientific or analytical rational behind theircontinued application.
19. The European Communities calls upon Members to adjust their measures to the latest
Commission Decision, and reserves its right to any necessary action as regards unjustified trade
barriers.
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