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SPS: Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues

Title Is key barrier(*) United States- Bovine animals and products
Creation Date 01 Dec 1996
Last update/check 18 Jul 2012
Barrier id 960083
Sector Agriculture and Fisheries
SPS measure Bovine Spongiform Encephalopaty (BSE)
Country United States of America
Description of the measure

Unjustified import restrictions on a number of animals and animal products relating to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).
Background

In 1997, US introduced rules on the import of ruminant animals and products thereof from all European countries based on concerns about Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). These rules are still in place, however they are more strict than agreed in international standards set by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) creating disproportionate and discriminatory trade restrictions.
US committed to align its import requirements to the OIE standards by drafting a 'BSE comprehensive rule'. The draft US "Comprehensive Rule on BSE" was published for public commenting in the Federal Register on 16 March 2012.
 


 
Barrier Status Ongoing
Actions Taken

Demands on alignment to the international standards are regularly voiced at all levels.

 
Hs codes
  • 0102 - Live bovine animals
  • 01 - Live animals

    • (*) In its conclusions of 8 December 2008, the Council of the European Union asked the European Commission "to draw up, in conjunction with Member States, a list of trade barriers to be prioritised in each of the EU's major trading partners ...". These barriers are marked as "key barriers" in the Market Access Database.