T.R.A.D.E. Working Papers 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (excerpt)

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures are typically applied to both domestically produced and imported goods to protect human or animal life or health from food-borne risks; humans from animal and plant-carried diseases; plants and animals from pests or diseases; and, the territory of a country from the spread of a pest or disease. To reach these goals, SPS measures may address the characteristics of final products, as well as how goods are produced, processed, stored and transported. They may take the form of conformity assessment certificates, inspections, quarantine requirements, import bans, and others. While some of these SPS measures may result in trade restrictions, governments generally recognize that some restrictions are necessary and appropriate to protect human, animal and plant life and health.

Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures are not a new issue in global agricultural trade. Because of the concern that SPS measures might be used for protectionist purposes, a specific Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures was negotiated during the Uruguay Round. The Agreement recognizes that countries have the right to maintain SPS measures for the protection of the population and the agricultural sector. However, it requires them to base their SPS measures on scientific principles and not to use them as disguised restrictions to trade.

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