| The World Trade Organization (WTO) has circulated Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) notifications for information or comment. Click on the hyperlinks in the table to open the notifications: EN = English ES = Spanish FR = French
| Notifying Country | Notification Symbol | Link | Title / summary | Comments due / Notification type | | United Arab Emirates | G/SPS/N/ARE/118 | EN | Emergency measure imposing a temporary ban on the importation of domestic and wild birds and their untreated by-product, day-old chicks, hatching eggs from Belgium, and imposition of a temporary ban on the importation of poultry meat and table eggs from West-Vlaanderen province in Belgium, following the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus. | N/A - emergency measures | | Switzerland | G/SPS/N/CHE/73 | FR | Currently in French: Loi fédérale sur les denrées alimentaires et les objets usuels (Le nouveau droit alimentaire suisse). La présente notification concerne un paquet de plusieurs actes législatifs finaux et déjà entrés en vigueur dans le domaine du nouveau droit alimentaire en Suisse (notifié comme document OMC G/TBT/N/CHE/202, 3 Septembre 2015). Il suffit que les denrées alimentaires soient sûres et qu'elles répondent aux exigences légales pour pouvoir être mises sur le marché. Google translation: Federal law on foodstuffs and usual objects (the new Swiss food law). This notification concerns several final legislative acts that have entered into force in Switzerland (as notified in the WTO document G/TBT/N/CHE/202, 3 September 2015). Previously, only foodstuffs explicitly specified in the ordinances were allowed to be placed on the market. Under the new law, there is no list of explicitly authorised food stuffs. It is sufficient for foodstuffs to be safe and meet legal requirements in order to be placed on the market. | N/A - entry into force | | Philippines | G/SPS/N/PHL/372 | EN | This standard code of practice covers the general hygienic practices for the production and primary processing of fresh fruits and vegetables. This is specifically applicable to fruits and vegetables cultivated for human consumption, particularly those intended to be consumed raw, that are field-grown with or without cover, or those grown under protected facilities such as hydroponic systems or greenhouses. | 17/07/2017 | | Philippines | G/SPS/N/PHL/373 | EN | This Joint Department Circular shall apply to the research, development, handling and use, transboundary movement, release into the environment, and management of genetically-modified plant and plant products derived from the use of modern technology. | N/A | | Philippines | G/SPS/N/PHL/374 | EN | The draft National Standard for the Specification of Raw Cane Sugar was revised in 2010 to aid in boosting the local sugar industry and ensure that locally produced and traded sugars meet international standards for safety and quality. This Standard intends to provide specification of raw cane sugar intended for human consumption. | 25/08/2017 | | Philippines | G/SPS/N/PHL/375 | EN | The draft National Standard for the Specification of White Sugar was revised in 2010 to aid in boosting the local sugar industry and ensure that locally produced and traded sugars meet international standards for safety and quality. This Standard intends to provide specification of white sugar intended for human consumption. | 25/08/2017 | Obtaining the full text of a notification: the full text is usually provided through a link on the notification. If no link is included, or if the full text is not available in English, please let us know by reply email. Obtaining a notification in English: for notifications which are initially released in French or Spanish, the WTO provides an English version within two weeks. To check if the English version is available, wait one-two weeks, and copy the notification symbol into the notification search, the search provides the notification in available languages. In the meantime you can use a translator like Google Translate. Making comment: if you feel a notification warrants an official comment from the Australian Government, please let us know by reply email. We require your comments one week before the due date. Requiring an extension: an extension can be requested and should be sought early with supporting justification, if you require an extension please let us know by reply email. Looking for further information on the WTO SPS agreement: visit www.agriculture.gov.au/market-access-trade/sps |