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Regionalization/zoning is a risk management
option which is applied within the European
Union in a flexible manner, and in the same
manner and in accordance with the same
principles, the EC can recognise the
application of this concept by third countries
wishing to export to the European Union. The
system therefore requires mutual trust and
confidence and is to be applied without undue
delay. This is the foundation for minimal
negative trade effects hence emphasising that
the application of regionalization for SPS
measures contributes to meet the provisions of
Article 5.6 of the SPS Agreement, i.e. to
choose the least trade-restrictive measures
possible.
Its value is equally
important as it can be very beneficial to many
developing countries whose health status is not
favourable in the whole territory, but that can
nevertheless export their products if from a
regionalised area. The EC has often used this
technique and has created export opportunities
for countries that would normally have little
chance to do so to countries with a higher
sanitary or phytosanitary level.
The EC contributions
to the structured discussion on regionalisation
(Informal meeting preceding the regular meeting
of the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary
(SPS) measures of January 2006 in Geneva) are
available hereafter.
Documents :
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