STC Number - 313
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Import restrictions due to dioxin contamination in Germany

Maintained by: Argentina; Unspecified
Raised by: European Union
Supported by:
First date raised: March 2011 G/SPS/R/62 paras. 26-27
Dates subsequently raised:
Number of times subsequently raised: 0
Relevant documents: G/SPS/N/ARG/41 G/SPS/GEN/1269
Products covered:
Primary subject keyword: Food safety
Keywords: Food safety; Human health; Dioxins
Status: Resolved
Solution: In October 2013, information was received from the European Union on the resolution of this STC (G/SPS/GEN/1269) (G/SPS/R/73, par.3.59).
Date reported as resolved: 16/10/2013

Extracts from SPS Committee meeting summary reports

In March 2011, the European Union expressed concerns regarding import restrictions due to dioxin contamination in Germany. In light of the fact that Germany was managing the situation efficiently, many countries had lifted their restrictions. However, a number of Members continued to impose import restrictions which affected animal products from the European Union. The contamination was under control and the European Union urged Members to immediately lift their import restrictions.

Argentina responded that Argentina was one of the countries that had imposed import restrictions in response to the dioxin contamination. Argentina had notified the WTO that it had set up a surveillance programme for certain products from Germany and the Netherlands (G/SPS/N/ARG/41). However, in light of the information provided by the European Union, Argentina had since lifted these measures.

In October 2013, the European Union reported that nine STCs had been resolved given that the measures in question were no longer considered by the European Union as barriers to trade. These were detailed in G/SPS/GEN/1269. The European Union encouraged all Members to regularly update the list of STCs previously raised in the Committee so that updated information would be reflected in the Annual Report.