The United States has called on India to delay the implementation of a new mandate requiring health certificates for imported food consignments, specifically for milk, pork, and fish, by six months, according to a report by The Economic Times. At a recent World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting, Washington made the request, urging that the mandate be postponed until a mutually agreed solution is reached. The European Union, Australia, and Japan have also voiced concerns over the issue.
Currently, India mandates that imported milk and milk products, pork and pork products, as well as fish and fish products, be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the exporting country’s competent authority. This certificate confirms that the imported goods comply with India’s sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures, which are designed to ensure food safety and prevent the spread of disease.
The SPS measures require that imported milk be processed at a temperature sufficient to eliminate harmful organisms, such as those responsible for diseases like tuberculosis, listeriosis, paratuberculosis, Q fever, and brucellosis. The certificates must also verify that the products are free from harmful substances such as drugs, antibiotics, pesticides, and heavy metal residues. These regulations are critical for protecting human and animal health in India, as well as maintaining the integrity of the country’s food supply.
However, the U.S. has criticized these requirements, claiming that they are unnecessarily trade-restrictive, particularly because of the duplication of certificates already provided by exporting countries. Washington has expressed concerns that the new mandate could disrupt trade and limit access to the Indian market for American agricultural products.
In its statement to the WTO, the U.S. government emphasized the importance of maintaining market access to India, a key export destination, and called for continued bilateral engagement to resolve the issues related to the certificate requirements. The U.S. argued that the complexity of the health certification process warrants a delay, stating, “Given the complexity of the issues, the U.S. requests that the implementation of the new certificate be delayed by at least six months or until we can reach a mutually agreed solution.”
The U.S. also urged India to ensure that its SPS measures are science-based and proportionate, in line with international trade standards. Specifically, the U.S. highlighted that SPS measures should only be applied when necessary to protect human, animal, or plant life or health, and should be the least restrictive option to achieve those objectives. Washington is seeking a collaborative approach to resolving the concerns while preventing any immediate disruption to the flow of agricultural goods between the two countries.
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Sanitary and phytosanitary measures are common in international trade, as they help countries maintain high food safety standards. However, disagreements often arise when one nation perceives another’s regulations as barriers to trade, especially if they believe the requirements go beyond what is necessary to protect health and safety.
In this case, the U.S. has called for India to notify its SPS committee of the proposed changes and to allow continued market access under the current system while further developments are made. The U.S. government’s position is that the health certificate requirements should only be enforced once all technical issues have been addressed, and the regulations are in full compliance with international SPS norms.
The call for a delay comes at a critical time for international trade relations, as many countries are grappling with food security concerns in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global disruptions. Any restrictions or new mandates that could impact the flow of food products are being closely scrutinized by exporting nations.
While India has not yet officially responded to the U.S. request, the issue is expected to be a focal point in upcoming trade negotiations. The outcome could have significant implications for agricultural trade between India and several key exporters, including the U.S., the European Union, and other concerned parties. Both sides will need to balance the health and safety concerns driving the SPS measures with the need to ensure smooth and efficient trade.
