WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/GEN/148
8 December 1999
(99-5388)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
THE TRANSPARENCY PROVISIONS OF THE SPS AGREEMENT
Presentation made by the Secretariat at the Special Meeting
of the SPS Committee on Transparency Provisions
held on 9 November 1999G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 2
The Transparency Provisions 
of the SPS Agreement
Text of the Agreement
Article 7
Transparency
Members shall notify changes in their sanitary
or phytosanitary measures and shall provide
information on their sanitary or phytosanitarymeasures in accordance with the provisions o
f
Annex B.G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 3
Annex B
ANNEX  B
TRANSPARENCY OF SANITARY AND
PHYTOSANITARY REGULATIONS
Publication of regulations
...
Enquiry Points
...
Notification Procedures
...
General Reservations...“Recommended 
Notification Procedures”
Annex to G/SPS/12
Issues
• Publication
• Notification Procedures
• Enquiry PointsG/SPS/GEN/148
Page 4
Publication
• Publish what? -  sanitary and phytosanitary regulations
• When? - promptly
•H o w ?  -  available for interested Members
• Entry into force  - reasonable period of time
•R e v i e w
– Encouragement to publish on the InternetAnnex B
Paragraph 1 and 2
National Notification Authority
• “Members shall designate a single central government
authority as responsible for the implementation, on the
national level, of the provisions concerning notification
procedures ....”
• prepares notifications about new or changed
measures
• provides copies of the measure upon request
• receives and takes into account commentsAnnex B
Paragraph 10
LIST:    G/SPS/GEN/141 (3 Nov. 1999)G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 5
Notification Procedures
• Legal text
– Annex B, paragraphs 5-10
• Committee adopted revised
recommendations on implementation:
– Recommended Notification Procedures
» Contained in:  G/SPS/12 (the Annex)
Notify SPS Measure if:
• it is new or modified,
•a n d
– an international standard or guideline does not
exist, or
– the proposed measure is not the same as an
existing international standard or guideline
•a n d ,
– the regulation may have a significant effect on
trade of other Members
– Paragraph 5, Annex B of the SPS AgreementG/SPS/GEN/148
Page 6
ANNEX  
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/7/Rev.1
date of distribution
(98-0000)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
RECOMMENDED
NOTIFICATION PROCEDURES
At its meeting of 10-11 March 1999 , the Committee
adopted the following revised recommended notification
procedures with regard to paragraphs 5 and 6 of Annex B of
the Agreement.
_______________
Members should follow these guidelines when
notifying regulations as required in paragraphs 5 or 6 of
Annex B.  The format for routine  notifications (Item F
below) should be used for notifications in accordance with
paragraph 5 of Annex B, whereas the format for emergencynotifications (Item G below) should be used for notifications
as provided for in paragraph 6 of Annex B.
A. APPLICATION OF ANNEX
 B, PARAGRAPH 5
(PREAMBULAR PART) OF THE SPS
AGREEMENTRecommended Notification Procedures
- Point  .... -  G/SPS/12
“significant effect on trade”
• Refers to the effect on trade:
– between two or more Members
– of one regulation or several
– in a specific product, group ... in general
• When in doubt:  Notify.Recommended Notification Procedures
- Point A -  G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 7
Timing of notifications
•W h e n ?
– a draft with the complete text of a proposed ...
– amendments can still be introduced
– well before entry into force
• except when urgent problems
– notify immediately (in emergency)Recommended Notification Procedures
- Point B -  
Requesting / Providing
Documents
• Identification of document
– symbol
• Address of body responsible
for supplying ...
– point 12
– or 11 (emergency)Recommended Notification Procedures
- Point C and D -  
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/CZE/16
24 June 1998
(98-2531)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  CZECH REPUBLIC  
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. A gency res ponsible:   M i n i s t r y of A griculture of the Czech Re public, State Veterinar y
Administration
3. Products covered (tariff item number (s) as s pecified in national schedules de posited
with the WTO.  ICS numbers ma y be provided in addition , where a pplicable ): Poultr y
meat
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:   Measure concernin g higher
findings of arsenic in poultry meat – 1 page.
5. Description of content:  Ban on imports of poultry meat from Thailand.
6. Objective and rationale: Human health protection.
7. Nature of the urgent problem(s):   Findings of higher content of arsenic in poultry meat.
8. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [    ].
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:           
9. Relevant documents and lan guage(s) in which these are available:  VET/307/98 from
19.6.1998 (in Czech)
10. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable): 19 June 1998
11. Texts available from/and a gency or authorit y desi gnated to handle comments:
National en quiry point [ X ] or address , telefax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:            G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 8
Providing Documents
• Responding
– five days
– if not, acknowledge
• estimation of time required
•V i a
– fax / e-mail if possible– Internet
• Acknowledge receiptRecommended Notification Procedures
- Point D -  
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/CZE/16
24 June 1998
(98-2531)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  CZECH REPUBLIC  
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. A gency responsible:  Ministr y of A griculture of the Czech Re public , State Veterinar y
Administration
3. Products covered (tariff item number (s) as s pecified in national schedules de posited
with the WTO.  ICS numbers ma y be provided in addition , where a pplicable ):  Poultr y
meat
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:   Measure concernin g higher
findings of arsenic in poultry meat – 1 page.
5. Description of content:  Ban on imports of poultry meat from Thailand.
6. Objective and rationale: Human health protection.
7. Nature of the urgent problem(s):   Findings of higher content of arsenic in poultry meat.
8. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [    ].
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:           
9. Relevant documents and lan guage(s) in which these are available:  VET/307/98 from
19.6.1998 (in Czech)
10. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable): 19 June 1998
11. Texts available from/and a gency or authorit y desi gnated to handle comments:
National en quiry point [X] or address , telefax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:            
Providing Documents, cont’dRecommended Notification Procedures
- Point D -  
• Translation
– If exists / planned -
• indicate or send along
– Developed countries:
• supply translation of document or translated
summary in WTO working language
– Share translations
– Unofficial translationsG/SPS/GEN/148
Page 9
Providing Documents, cont’dRecommended Notification Procedures
- Point D -  
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/CAN/74
13 October 1999
(99-4380)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English/
French
NOTIFICATION
1.Member to Agreement notifying:  CANADA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:  Health Canada
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number (s) as s pecified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO ; ICS numbers ma y be provided in addition , where
applicable ).  Re gions or countries likel y to be affected , to the extent relevant or
practicable:  2, 4-D
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Proposed Amendment to the Food
and Drug Regulations (1154 – 2,4-D) (pages 2933-2935)
5.Descri ption of content: The Pest Mana gement Re gulator y Agency (PMRA ), of Health
Canada , has recentl y approved an a pplication to amend the re gistration of 2 ,4-D in order to
allow its use as a s pot treatment for the (wipe on ) control of broadleaf weeds that grow
above the cranberr y fields.  This proposed re gulator y amendment would establish an MRL
for residues of 2 ,4-D resultin g from this use in cranberries , in order to permit the sale of
food containing these residues.
After the review of all available data , the PMRA has determined that an MRL for 2 ,4-D of
0.5 p.p.m. in cranberries would not pose an unacceptable health risk to the public.  This new
MRL harmonizes with that established b y the United States Environmental Protection
Agency.
6. 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           
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [     ].
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists , give the a ppropriate
reference and briefl y identif y deviations:  No Codex Maximum Residue Limit (MRL ).
United States tolerance on cranberries is 0.5 p.p.m.
8. Relevant documents and lan guage(s) in which these are available:  Canada Gazette ,
Part I, 2 October 1999; English and French
9. Proposed date of adoption:  Not stated.
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  Not stated.
11.Final date for comments:  1 November 1999
Agency or authorit y desi gnated to handle comments:  [    ] National notification
authorit y, [X] National en quiry point, or address , fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:           
12. Texts available from: [ ] National notification authorit y, [ X ] National en quiry point
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:           8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these
are available:   Canada Gazette, Part I, 2 October 1999;
English and French
Handling of Comments
• Submit comments to:
– Authority designated to handle
comments
• Point 11 in format
– National Notification Authority
(if none indicated)Recommended Notification Procedures
- Point  E-  
WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/CAN/74
13 October 1999
(99-4380)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English/
French
NOTIFICATION
1.Member to Agreement notifying:  CANADA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:  Health Canada
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number (s) as s pecified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO ; ICS numbers ma y be provided in addition , where
applicable ).  Re gions or countries likel y to be affected , to the extent relevant or
practicable:  2, 4-D
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Proposed Amendment to the Food
and Drug Regulations (1154 – 2,4-D) (pages 2933-2935)
5.Descri ption of content: The Pest Mana gement Re gulator y Agency (PMRA ), of Health
Canada , has recentl y approved an a pplication to amend the re gistration of 2 ,4-D in order to
allow its use as a s pot treatment for the (wipe on) control of broadleaf weeds that grow
above the cranberr y fields.  This proposed re gulator y amendment would establish an MRL
for residues of 2 ,4-D resultin g from this use in cranberries , in order to permit the sale o f
food containing these residues.
After the review of all available data , the PMRA has determined that an MRL for 2 ,4-D o f
0.5 p.p.m. in cranberries would not pose an unacceptable health risk to the public.  This new
MRL harmonizes with that established b y the United States Environmental Protection
Agency.
6. 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           
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [     ].
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists , give the a ppropriate
reference and briefl y identif y deviations:  No Codex Maximum Residue Limit (MRL ).
United States tolerance on cranberries is 0.5 p.p.m.
8. Relevant documents and lan guage(s) in which these are available:  Canada Gazette ,
Part I, 2 October 1999; English and French
9. Proposed date of adoption:  Not stated.
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  Not stated.
11.Final date for comments:  1 November 1999
Agency or authorit y desi gnated to handle comments:  [    ] National notification
authorit y, [X] National en quiry point, or address , fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:           
12. Texts available from: [ ] National notification authorit y, [ X ] National en quiry point
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:           G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 10
• After receiving comments:
– acknowledge
–e x p l a i n
• how taken into account
• provide additional relevant info.
– provide
• copy of regulation as adopted• or, information of non-adoption
– where possible, inform other Members
• comments• explanationsRecommended Notification Procedures
- Point  E-  
Handling of CommentsG/SPS/GEN/148
Page 11
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:   
3. Products covered (provide  tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO ;  ICS numbers ma y be provided in addition , where
applicable ). Regions or countries likel y to be affected , to the extent relevant or
practicable :Government,
competent authorityBody elaborating a
proposal ...
Tariff item number(s)...,
Clear description is important for
understanding of the notification
Geographical regions or countries likely to
be affectedFORMAT:  POINTS 1-3
EXAMPLERecommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
NOTIFICATION
1.Member to Agreement notifying:  COLOMBIA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2.Agency responsible: Colombian Agricultural Institute, ICA
3.Products covered (provide tariff item number (s) as s pecified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO ; ICS numbers ma y be provided in addition , where
applicable ).  Re gions or countries likel y to be affected , to the extent relevant or
practicable:  Fresh fruit which is host to Bactrocera s. p.p. from Brazil , Ecuador , Peru and
Venezuala.G/SPS/N/COL/31
20 October 1999
“Fresh fruit which is host to Bactrocera s.p.p
from Brazil, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela”G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 12
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
Important:  Clear SummaryTitle, Number of
pages, web-site
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:
5. Description of content:
6. Objective and rationale:   [  ] food safety  [  ] animal health
[  ] plant protection [  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease
 [  ]  protect territory from other damage from pestsFORMAT:  POINTS 4-6, in particular 5
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
“sanitary requirements”“Frozen Meat Products”
4.Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Sanitar y Requirements for
Importing Frozen Meat Products into Chile (3 pages)
5.Descri ption of content:  Lays down the sanitar y requirements for im portin g pork, bovine
and poultry meat or mixtures thereof, with or without additives or added condiments, spices,
water or ice.
6.Objective and rationale: [     ] food safety,  [  X] animal health,  [     ] plant protection,
[    ] protect humans from animal/ plant pest or disease , [ ] protect territor y from
other damage from pests           
G/SPS/N/CHL/40
20 October 1999EXAMPLE
- brief product descriptionG/SPS/GEN/148
Page 13
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
G/SPS/N/AUS/107
20 September 19994.Title and number of pages of the notified document:  Explanator y Notes A pplication
A357 – Raw, Hard and Semi-Hard Cheeses (5 pages)
5.Descri ption of content:  An a pplication to allow the sale of those cheeses that have been
manufactured from raw milk where the manufacturing practices are found upon a case-by-
case scrutin y by ANZFA to provide a full y equivalent protection of public health and safet y
to current food standards and have been entered into a schedule in Standard H9 s pecifying
those products and processes where full e quivalence has been established.  The proposed
regulations will result in less strin gentprovisions than currentl y contained within the Food   
Standards Code .
6.Objective and rationale: [  X ] food safety,  [     ] animal health,  [     ] plant protection,
[    ] protect humans from animal/ plant pest or disease , [ ] protect territor y from
other damage from pests           EXAMPLE - more detailed
Product Covered:   Swiss raw milk cheeses
“case by case basis” ...  “results in less
stringent provisions than current... “
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
G/SPS/N/KOR/63
6 October 1990EXAMPLE - even more detailed
5.Description of content:
Korea Food and Drug Administration revises the Food Code as following:
• Amendment of sam pling and sam ple-handlin g methods to ensure the rationalit y of the
performance of food inspectors
• Amendment of requirements for raw food materials
- More than 240 new materials such as medicinal plants are added to use as food 
ingredients.
• Abolishment of criteria for exporting food products
• Liberalization of shelf-life requirements
- The shelf-life period for 20 items [Tofu products (12 items ), Noodles (4 items ),
Packed Lund (3 items), Fried food products] are liberalized.
• Simplify the requirements for manufacturing and/or processing in all food products
• Amendment of specifications for constituents
-D e r e gulation of qualit y specifications , such as moisture content , saponification
value, which are less related with safety.
- The maximum residue levels for lead in fresh water fish (2.0 m g/kg), chitosan
products (2.0 m g/kg), propolis extracted products (5.0 m g/kg) and calcium content
products (3.0 mg/kg), mercury in fresh water fish (0.5 mg/kg), cadmium in shellfish
(2.0 m g/kg), rice (0.2 m g/kg) and sul phur dioxide in su gared products (30.0 m g/kg)
are newl y established based on risk assessment results b y the Korea Food and Dru g
Administration.
• Reclassification of food types to harmonize with international norms
• Addition of new test methods
- New test methods such as HMF , Cholin , are introduced based on the international
recognized methods such as Association of Official Analytical Chemists.G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 14
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
Note:  Helpful to notify even when an international
standard exists, and the measure is based on it.FORMAT:  POINT 7
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [  ].
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists , give the a ppropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
G/SPS/N/CAN/65
23 October 1999EXAMPLE
Product Covered:   Cyfluthrin
CODEX has recommended a lower level7.An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [     ].
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists , give the a ppropriate
reference and briefl y identif y deviations:  The United States has the same tolerances.
Internationall y, CODEX has recommended a CXL of 0.01 p.p.m. for cattle milk which is
lower than the proposed Canadian MRL , therefore there would be no trade irritant with
respect to imports.G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 15
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
FORMAT:  POINT 8
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:
• Relevant documents:
– Publication where notice of the proposed regulation appears
– Proposal and basic document to which proposal refers ...
• Language?  Summaries available?
– Publication in which proposal will appear when adopted– Charge for documents?
• what amount?
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
FORMAT:  POINTS 9-10
9. Proposed date of adoption:
10. Proposed date of entry into force:
• Proposed date of adoption
• Proposed date of entry into force
– longer time-frames for compliance on products of interest
for developing countries, where appropriateG/SPS/GEN/148
Page 16
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
FORMAT:  POINT 11
• Annex B, paragraph 5(b)
– “... at an early stage when amendments can still be
introduced and comments taken into account.”
– 60 day recommended
– after 45 days if no comment
– more, if possible
• Indicate agency handling comments
• No commend period necessary for trade-facilitating
measures11. Final date for comments:
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [  ] National notification 
authority, [  ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if 
available) of other body:
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
G/SPS/N/THA/18
22 October 1999EXAMPLE - “to be determined”
Product Covered:   distilled liquors
9.Proposed date of adoption:  To be determined.
10.Proposed date of entry into force:  To be determined.
11.Final date for comments:  60 days from the circulation date
Agency or authorit y desi gnated to handle comments:  [ ] National notification
authorit y, [ X ] National en quiry point, or address , fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:           
Final date for comments is 60 days
after “circulation”Date of adoption and entry
into force “to be determined”G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 17
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
G/SPS/N/NZL/51
22 October 1999EXAMPLE - specified date
Product Covered:  Foods for infants and young children
9.Proposed date of adoption: Recommendation to Government in first half 2000
10.Proposed date of entry into force:  After approval by Government, anticipated by mid-
2000
11.Final date for comments: The domestic closin g date for comments is 17 November 1999
however comments from Members will be acce pted until 17 December 1999 if notice of
intention to comment is received by the domestic closing date.
Agency or authorit y desi gnated to handle comments:  [ ] National notificatio n
authorit y, [   ] National en quiry point, or address , fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:
“notice of intention to comment” AustraliaNew ZealandG/SPS/GEN/148
Page 18
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
FORMAT:  POINT 12
(last in normal format)
12. Texts available from:  [  ] National notification authority,  [  ]  National enquiry point,
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
Recommended Notification Procedures
- FORMAT Point  F -  
G/SPS/N/SLV/28
20 October 1999EXAMPLE - Texts available from
11.Texts available from/and agency or authority designated to handle comments:
[    ] National notification authorit y, [X] National en quiry point or address , fax
number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Technología (CONACYT)
Departamento de Normalización, Metrología y Certificación de Calidad
Colonia Médica
Avenida Dr. Emilio Álvarez, pasaje Dr. Guillermo Rodríguez P acas # 51
San Salvador, El Salvador, C.A.
Tel: (503) 221 2600, 226 2999
Fax: (503) 225 6255
email: cit@conacyt.gob.sv
Ministerio de Economía
Dirección Política ComercialAlameda Juan Pablo II y Calle Guadalupe Plan MaestroSan Salvador, El Salvador, C.A.
Tel: (503) 221 3583
Fax: (503) 221 4771
email: policom@sal.bgm.netG/SPS/GEN/148
Page 19
Emergency Notifications
• Relevant texts of Agreement
– Annex B, Paragraph 6
• “... wherever urgent problems of health protection
threaten to arise for a Member, that Member may omitsuch of the steps enumerated in paragraph 5 of thisAnnex as it finds necessary, provided that...”Recommended Notification Procedures
- Point  G -  
Emergency Notifications, cont’d
– Article B, Paragraph 6 - cont’d
• immediately notifies ...
• provides, upon request, copies of the regulation ...• ... allows .... comments ...
• Separate Notification Format
– Differences:
• “Nature of urgent problem” (Point 7)• “Date of entry into force/period of application” (Point 10)Recommended Notification Procedures
- Point  G -  G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 20
Emergency Notifications, cont’dRecommended Notification Procedures
- Point  G -  
WORLD TRADE
G/SPS/N/COUNTRY
                  date of distribution
ORGANIZATION
(99-000)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
NOTIFICATION OF EMERGENCY MEASURES
1. Member to Agreement notifying:
If applicable, name of local government involved:
Emergency Notifications, cont’dRecommended Notification Procedures
- Point  G -  
7. Nature of the urgent problem(s):
10. Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable):What is the reason for resorting to
emergency action?
When did it enter into force and
for how long?G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 21
Emergency... - EXAMPLERecommended Notification Procedures
- Point  G -  
7. Nature of the ur gent problem (s):  The diseases known as White S pot Syndrome Virus
(WSSV ) and Yellow Head Virus (YHV ) mainl y affect the s pecies of penaeid shrim p, and
produce generalized lesions in various or gans of the affected s pecimens causin g massive
mortalit y, with rates of u p to 100 per cent mortalit y of cultivated shrim p populations ,
without an y available treatment for prevention and control to this date.  Records show that
these diseases affect other crustacean s pecies and that the dis persion media of the viruses
causing them are varied, as the carriers are live and dead shellfish, their products or by-
products , as well as Artemia s ppwhich is used as food in the larval sta ges of shrim p and
other s pecies of a quatic or ganisms.  There is also evidence that the causal a gents of the
above-mentioned diseases are also s pread throu gh the water used in shrim p farmin g or the
waste-water and solid waste produced b y shellfish processin g.  WSSV was detected in
shrim p farms and in natural penaeid shrim p populations alon g the coast of the Gulf of
Mexico in United States territorial waters and recentl y in Central and South America , while
WHV has affected shrim p farmed in countries of Asia and in the United States , causin g
serious economic losses.  A strain of the virus causin g WSSV was recentl y identified in
Mexico , different from those found in the United States , Central America and Asia.  To
date, mortality has not exceeded 10 per cent in areas where this strain has been detected.
It has been shown that im ports of frozen shrim p infected with the causal viruses of
WSSV and YHV from countries where viral particles of these diseases have been detected
represent a ma jor risk of introducin g different strains of these pathogens, which are s pread
throu gh solid waste and waste-water from the plants re processin g this product.  The
movement of live or dead shellfish and their products or b y-products whether for the
purposes of farmin g, marketin g, processin g, research or consum ption, represents a hi gh risk
of spreadin g the causal a gents of these diseases in the national territor y, which could cause
losses to a quaculture or natural crustacean populations , thus re presentin g a potential
environmental danger.Crustaceans
.... disease White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV ) and
Yellow Head Virus (YHV ), which could endanger
wild and cultivated populations ....
... major risk of introducing different strains of these pathogens,
...  high risk of spreading the causal agents ......... could cause losses to aqua culture or natural crustacean
populations, thus representing a potential environmental danger
Date of entry into force/period of application (as applicable):  The
day following its publication in the Official Journal (25 September 1999),
valid for six months from publication.
The Enquiry Point
• “is responsible for the provision of answers to all
reasonable questions” regarding:
• adopted or proposed SPS regulations,
• control, inspection procedures, quarantine treatment, approval
procedures,
• risk assessment procedures,• membership / participation in international and regional
organizations, bilateral and multilateral agreements andarrangements
LIST:    G/SPS/ENQ/9 (3 Nov 1999)Annex B
Paragraph 3G/SPS/GEN/148
Page 22
__________TRANSPARENCY
Summing up
• SPS Agreement:
» Article 7 and Annex B
• National Notification Authority
» Notification Procedures (G/SPS/12 - Annex)
• Enquiry Points
• SPS WTO Secretariat
» Circulation of notifications
• SPS Committee meetings
» Forum for discussion
Notifications and the SPS Committee
• Agenda item:
– “Consideration of specific notifications received”
• seek clarification
• express concern•c o m m e n t s
• others with similar concerns