World Trade Organization Organisation Mondiale du Commerce Organización Mundial del Comercio

Follow-up questions

Report by the Secretariat (WT/TPR/S/249)

Canada FQ 1:

Part III. Trade Policies and Practices by Measure: (2) Measures Directly Affecting Imports; (x) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures: paragraph 122, page 73:

Paragraph 122 of the Secretariat's Report notes that "Imports of plants and plant materials are regulated under the Destructive Insects and Pests Act 1914, the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order (PQO) 2003".

For some wood exports from North America it is noted that the only treatment recognized for import is methyl bromide, while in other listings both methyl bromide and kiln drying are recognized. It is further noted that PQO Section 9(1) accepts heat treatment for wood commodities, but this acceptance is not reflected in listings of species in Appendix VI of the PQO.

In most cases, heat treatment is as effective in managing pest risks as is methyl bromide treatment. For example, the IPPC has noted² that both methyl bromide and heat treatment are effective in managing the broad pest risks associated with wood packaging moving in international trade.

Original question:

43. Under what circumstances would India recognize heat treatment in listings where these are not currently prescribed for wood commodities?

Follow-up question:

F.1. India has indicated that it may consider adding heat treatment as an option for wood commodities, which are currently only permitted entry using methyl bromide or kiln drying. The latter treatment is not defined in the PQO. Given provisions in ISPM 15:2009 which indicate that both methyl bromide and heat treatment are equally effective in managing the pest risks associated with wood packaging, will India revise its requirements to add heat treatment as an option for all wood commodity entries specified in PQO in particular for Quercus spp. from any country, Castanea spp. from any country, Ulmus spp. from any country, Juglans spp. from North America except the USA, Prunus spp. from North America except the USA?