Sanitary and phytosanitary matters. Article 31
Sanitary and phytosanitary matters. The current Agreement contains a single Article on SPS, with a generic commitment to increase cooperation in SPS matters, and the creation of a SPS Committee. The Modernization has led to a fully-fledged Chapter on SPS, providing many specific trade facilitation measures. In addition, the architecture of the relationship has been much strengthened with provisions on increased transparency, information exchange, cooperation, certification and import checks, a process for technical consultations etc. Both sides agreed to a swift and transparent import approval procedure. This means that the risk assessment for any application should be processed normally within one year. These trade facilitating steps are balanced by clear provisions enabling either side to establish the level of protection it determines to be appropriate (in line with Article 5 of the SPS Agreement); In short, the agreed text will enable faster yet safe trade, ensuring that good agri-food quality products are traded without any unnecessary SPS constraints. In terms of process, clear timeframes will prevent any unnecessary delay. Of particular interest to the EU is the progress made with regard to treating the EU as a single entity. For applications concerning products are already exported from another MS, Mexico shall approve the application no later than 6 months, unless in duly justified circumstances. Both Parties also agreed to endeavor to reduce the number of audits, as befits trading partners with a mature relationship. This will also benefit EU MS. Furthermore: - For exports of many fruits and vegetables, Mexico required so far the so-called 'preclearance' i.e. an additional layer of inspection carried out in the EU by Mexican inspectors for each consignment exported. As the costs for these controls are being passed to the EU MS, this practice has hindered very significantly EU exports. The agreed text foresees the elimination of preclearance. - Until now, for export of animal based products (particularly meat) MEX conducted an inspection of each and every MS establishment interested in exporting to MEX again at the cost of EU exporters. This led to high costs and unnecessarily long processes. Mexico has now agreed to the so-called 'prelisting' principle, whereby approved MS will see their establishments listed without prior additional audit by Mexico whenever it has approved a market access application and recognised the system as safe. In addition, audit costs will no longer be pai...
Sanitary and phytosanitary matters. 1. The Parties shall cooperate on food safety and on sanitary and phytosanitary matters to protect human, animal or plant life or health in their respective territories.
Sanitary and phytosanitary matters. Article 133. Objective The objective of this Chapter is to set out the principles applicable to sanitary and phytosanitary ("SPS") measures in trade between the Parties, as well as cooperation in animal welfare. Those principles shall be applied by the Parties in a manner that facilitates trade while preserving each Party's level of protection with regard to the life or health of humans, animals and plants.
Sanitary and phytosanitary matters. 1. The Parties shall cooperate on sanitary and phytosanitary ("SPS") matters to protect human, animal or plant life or health in the territory of the Parties.
