STC Number - 218
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Lack of recognition of regionalization and disease-free status for classical swine fever

Maintained by: Brazil
Raised by: European Union
Supported by:
First date raised: June 2005 G/SPS/R/37/Rev.1 paras. 42-44
Dates subsequently raised:
Number of times subsequently raised: 0
Relevant documents: Raised orally
Products covered: 02 Meat and edible meat offal; 0203 Meat of swine, fresh, chilled or frozen.; 0206 Edible offal of bovine animals, swine, sheep, goats, horses, asses, mules or hinnies, fresh, chilled or frozen.; 0209 Pig fat, free of lean meat, and poultry fat, not rendered or otherwise extracted, fresh, chilled, frozen, salted, in brine, dried or smoked.
Primary subject keyword: Animal Health
Keywords: Animal health; International Standards / Harmonization; Pest- or Disease- free Regions / Regionalization; Foot and mouth disease; Classical Swine Fever
Status: Not reported
Solution:
Date reported as resolved:

Extracts from SPS Committee meeting summary reports

In June 2005, the representative of the European Communities recalled concerns that Brazil's lack of recognition of regionalization and disease-free status for several animal diseases, including classical swine fever (CSF) was adversely affecting EC exports of pig products to Brazil. The European Communities had always recognised regionalization and, in the case of Brazil, on various occasions and for several animal diseases including FMD. The European Communities had previously provided all the necessary information and evidence regarding which EC regions could safely export pig products and had provided access to importing WTO Members for inspection and other procedures in accordance with Article 6.3 of the SPS Agreement. French exports of pig products to Brazil were experiencing restrictions, although the domestic EC pig population was free of CSF according to OIE standards, since the virus was present only in the wild boar population. CSF in France was epidemiologically under control, with strict veterinary and police surveillance and systems for animal identification and traceability. The European Communities urged Brazil to respond quickly and positively to legitimate requests for the application of the principle of regionalization for CSF to EC member States.

The representative of Brazil responded that Brazil's measures regarding regionalization for CSF in the European Communities were based on an assessment of the risks for disease spread, taking into account the size of the proposed CSF-free area and considering the epidemiological characteristics of the disease agent. These control measures were scientifically supported by Article 2.6.7.3 of the 2004 OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Moreover, the disease agent could be found in the wild boar population, which made more difficult the establishment of control measures for a proposed disease-free area. The probability of the CSF agent spreading to domestic pigs had to be considered. During the last bilateral meeting held in Brussels in April 2005, Brazil had proposed the establishment of a bilateral expert working group to define risk analysis criteria related to equivalent regionalization procedures. The Brazilian sanitary authorities were currently working with the bilateral expert group in order to define criteria. Brazil had a regular and continuous CSF-free zone which covered almost all commercial swine herds.

The representative of the OIE clarified that the OIE Code for CSF included recommendations for the importation of several pig products from countries or zones free from CSF in the domestic population where the disease was present in the wild population. The OIE Code did not recommend banning imports of such material.