Ref. Ares(2020)3468680 - 02/07/2020
EUROPEAN UNION
Permanent Mission
to the World Trade Organization
The Head of Mission
Geneva, 30 June 2020
Ms Anne BUCHER, Director General, DG SANTE
Ms Sabine WEYAND, Director General, DG TRADE
Mr Wolfgang BURTSCHER, Director General, DG AGRI
Mrs Kerstin JORNA, Director General, DG GROW
Subject:
SPS Committee meeting of 25/26 June 2020 – Flash Report
Summary
Despite its unusual structure, (a mixture of written and oral procedures), the meeting followed a
traditional pattern in that the EU was the subject of intense criticism on Pesticides, where many
developing countries have now requested a temporary suspension because of the Covid-19
pandemic. The EU regulatory measures on Veterinary Medicines, High Risk Plants and
Composite Products were also criticised by several Members.
On the offensive side, the EU raised concerns on several topics and countries, namely longhorn
beetles (new) and apples and pears against USA, BSE restrictions against several countries,
imports of meat from Philippines and approval procedures from Indonesia. During a session on
Covid-19, the EU delivered a strong statement against Members taking unjustified restrictive
measures (China).
In the formal meeting, the EU made a brief introduction to the Farm to Fork Strategy, which
triggered expressions of concern from some Members. USA and other sponsors promoted an
initiative for a Ministerial Declaration on the SPS Agreement. The Committee completed its work
regarding the Fifth Review Report that is for adoption ad referendum by 30 July. Finally, the EU
participated in some meetings in the margins (QUAD meeting and bilaterals with Japan and
Canada).
Detail
Introduction
The 77th regular meeting of the WTO/SPS Committee took place on 25-26 June following an
information session on Covid-19 (24 June). Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the SPS
Committee meeting followed a hybrid approach combining virtual and (limited) physical presence
with a written procedure. For the first time the Committee resorted to an electronic agenda which
allowed Members to upload their statements directly to a shared platform. Members also had an
opportunity to make oral statements during the virtual/physical meeting, but the allocated time per
Member was limited.
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Specific Trade Concerns
Defensives
As in previous occasions, numerous Members criticised the EU measures on Pesticides. The list of
STCs included new ones (chlorpyrifos and mancozeb) and four repeatedly raised in the past,
namely MRLs of several substances (buprofezin, chlorothalonil, glufosinate, imazalil, iprodione
and picoxystrobin), endocrine disruptors, lambda-cyhalothrin and folpet, the last two raised by
China. Other STCs related to Veterinary Medicines and High Risk Plants. The EU responded
briefly during the oral session and announced a more comprehensive response in writing.
Offensives
As agreed with Member States during the preparatory meeting on 2 June, the EU raised new STC
against the United States regarding the non-recognition of the pest free status of many Member
States of the European Union for Asian longhorn beetle and Citrus longhorn beetle.
STCs previously raised by the EU and raised again at this meeting included the following:
Approval of apples and pears against the US (STC N° 439).
Continued trade suspensions related to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, mentioning
specifically Korea, China, Taiwan and the United States (STC N° 193).
Indonesia's import approval procedures for products of animal and plant origin (STC N° 441).
The Philippines’ trade restrictions on imports of meat (STC N° 466).
Under the agenda point related to International Standards the EU raised again its concerns related
to the non-application of regionalisation and other elements of the OIE terrestrial code after
outbreaks of avian influenza and African swine fever.
Covid-19
The Committee started with an information session on Covid-19 (an EU initiative). Several
international organisations, namely WTO, STDF, Codex, OIE, IPPC and WHO, presented their
Covid related measures and recommendations. Numerous Members took the floor. Many reported
about measures taken to facilitate trade (mainly related to certification procedures). Several called
for the removal of unjustified protective measures. The EU and USA delivered firm statements
addressed to one specific Member (China). Several Central and South American countries referred
to a document subscribed by more than 30 developing countries asking the EU to suspend for a
year all MRLs revisions and the implementation of newly adopted MRLS. They had already
presented this request in other WTO forums (TBT Committee and Council for Trade in Goods)
and reiterated it during the formal session of the SPS Committee. The EU noted its unwillingness
to compromise on health protection and announced a formal response in writing.
Work of the Committee
The Committee expressed almost unanimous support for the text proposed by the Chair for the
Fifth Review report, which is to be adopted ad referendum by 30 July. The Thematic Sessions
envisaged for March (Third Party Certification) and June (Risk Analysis) will take place in
November and June, respectively. The meeting of November will discuss proposals on African
swine fever (EU initiative), MRLs of pesticides and possible new suggestions. USA, Canada and
Brazil presented their proposal for a Ministerial Declaration on the SPS Agreement, which has
gained the support of numerous Members. The EU reserved its position noting willingness to
engage with the proponents to discuss contents and language. One of the recommendations of the
Fifth Review Report is to establish a working group on approval procedures. Canada presented
a proposal about its functioning and timetable and invited members to join the working group.
There was very limited response. Finally, Brazil invited Members to support their longstanding
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proposal on Committee procedures. However, it has limited support from Members and strong
opposition of USA.
Other Topics
The EU presented briefly a note previously circulated to all Members on the Farm to Fork
Strategy. Although there was no opportunity for discussion, several Members expressed concern
about its trade consequences particularly in relation to pesticides. The EU also referred to an
explanatory note on the new rules on Composite Products, a matter that raises concerns among
some Members.
Several Members, notably US and Canada, referred to an International Statement on Agricultural
Applications of Precision Biotechnology, an initiative of 2018 currently supported by 11
Members. The US mentioned some studies on the trade consequences of not applying the Codex
MRL on Ractopamine and encouraged Members to adopt this Codex standard.
Meetings in the Margins
The EU participated in the traditional QUAD meeting and hold bilateral meetings with Japan and
Canada. The meeting with Canada focused on pesticides, veterinary medicinal products, and the
French measures on dimethoate. Japan raised concerns about composite products and veterinary
medicinal products. In turn, the EU identified areas where simplification in the Japanese approval
procedures could bring benefits to both sides by allowing saving time and resources. Additionally,
the EU stressed the importance of adhering to international standards, in line with the WTO and
EPA agreements. Japan did not give immediate feedback but remained positive to discuss the
suggestions further in the meetings planned later this year (SPS Committee, AHTWG and market
access meetings).
Next Meeting
The next session of the SPS Committee will take place in the first week of November.
João Aguiar Machado
Head of Mission
Authors:
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