Viet Nam's suspension of groundnut seed imports
Raised by: Senegal
First date raised: March 2017 G/SPS/R/86 paras. 3.3-3.4
Dates subsequently raised: July 2017 (G/SPS/R/87 paras. 4.17-4.18)
July 2018 (G/SPS/R/92/Rev.1 paras. 4.48-4.49)
Relevant documents: Raised orally
Products covered: 200811 -- Ground-nuts
Groundnut seeds
Keywords: Plant health; International Standards / Harmonization; Pests; Seeds; Risk assessment
Status: Not reported
In March 2017, Senegal noted that, as of 11 July 2016, Viet Nam had suspended its imports of groundnut seeds from Senegal following Decision No. 2838/QD-BNN-BVTV, due to the detection of two destructive pests in groundnut seeds exported to Viet Nam. Senegal confirmed that one fumigation company had not respected pre-fumigation procedures and its quarantine authorities had taken corrective measures, including strengthening procedures for issuing quality certificates and establishing a roadmap to further protect plant health. Senegal appealed to Viet Nam, which was a major importer of Senegalese groundnut seeds, to undertake a risk analysis of their measures and remained open to bilateral discussion.
Viet Nam stated that between February and June 2016 it had intercepted 48 containers of groundnut seeds infected with two regulated quarantine pests absent from its territory. Viet Nam noted that despite alerting the Senegalese authorities of the detection of incompliant consignments, Senegal had not tightened its controls sufficiently. Viet Nam's temporary suspension was in compliance with IPPC and domestic regulation and was aimed at preventing the spread of the two pests in its territory. As bilaterally notified, Viet Nam encouraged Senegal to improve cooperation and provide technical reports to assess the situation. Viet Nam welcomed further bilateral discussion to resolve the matter.
In July 2017, Senegal reported that after raising the concern in the March 2017 SPS Committee meeting, Viet Nam had requested a more detailed report of the phytosanitary risk analysis applied to the groundnut industry, which had been provided in June 2017. Viet Nam had acknowledged receipt and requested an official translation into English. Senegal noted that no notification of non-conformity had been issued and expressed appreciation for Viet Nam's collaboration on this issue.
Viet Nam explained that in 2015 it had issued a new list of commodities subject to pest risk analysis before importation. Viet Nam appreciated Senegal's effort to provide information in English and looked forward to deliver a final response to this issue at their next bilateral meeting.
In November 2017, Senegal reiterated its concern on Viet Nam's provisional suspension on groundnut imports from Senegal and reported on the provisions taken to ensure compliance with the phytosanitary requirements, including an audit by a Chinese quarantine service mission.
Viet Nam reiterated that there had been detections of groundnuts infested with live insect quarantine pests. Viet Nam reported that Senegal had been notified, and that its temporary suspension was in line with IPPC guidelines. Viet Nam also reported that it was currently reviewing the technical information received from Senegal's National Plant Protection Agency.
In July 2018, Senegal reiterated its concerns regarding Viet Nam's temporary suspension of groundnut seed imports for quarantine purposes since 2016. Senegal reported on the documentation it had submitted and requested Viet Nam to follow-up on this issue to ensure that its operators received the appropriate information.
Viet Nam informed the Committee that it had recently received a technical information package on pest risk analysis in French from Senegal's NPPO, after translation, was under assessment by the Plant Protection Department.