Information sharing proposal backed by SPS Committee

It was put forward by Chile and the European Union at a Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) meeting.

The move involves putting unofficial translations of notified regulations on the WTO website; an informal discussion on notification of trade facilitating measures in 2017; and setting up a platform to share information on members’ SPS regulatory measures on a voluntary basis.

In the past year, WTO members submitted 1,453 notifications, of which 1,011 were regular, 65 emergency and 377 additions and corrections to such notifications.

Trade issues​

Meanwhile, Indonesia raised “serious concern” with China’s import ban on fresh Indonesian mangosteen. It said China imposed the ban in February 2013 due to alleged findings of pest and contamination of heavy metal on the fruits.

Indonesia has taken measures including field verification, verification of food safety testing laboratories and discussing a draft export protocol proposed by China.

China said it has carried out bilateral consultations with Indonesia to resolve the issue.

Japan cited the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) which said that “the safety of food, fishery and agricultural production continues to remain stable” after the Fukushima nuclear accident.

It raised issues with China and Chinese Taipei over continued import restrictions on Japanese food.

China’s prolonged risk assessment of foods and beverages is cause for concern, Japan told members.

China has reported the risk assessment is ongoing since June 2011, in spite of information from Japan.

“We don’t want China to be trapped in a somewhat endless loop of risk assessment​,” the Japanese delegation said.