Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Concerns in Agricultural Trade (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
Revised Dec. 15, 2008 |
| Report Number |
RL33472 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Geoffrey S. Becker, Specialist in Agricultural Policy |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures refer to any of the laws, rules, standards, and procedures that governments employ to protect humans, other animals, and plants from diseases, pests, toxins, and other contaminants. Examples of SPS measures include meat and poultry processing standards to reduce pathogens, residue limits for pesticides in foods, and regulation of agricultural biotechnology. SPS measures can be barriers to trade in agricultural, food, and other products, according to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and others. Notable U.S. disputes include a European Union (EU) ban on U.S. meats treated with growth-promoting hormones, which a WTO dispute panel ruled had not been supported by a risk assessment; and a recent EU moratorium on approvals of biotechnology products. Foreign countries often object to various U.S. SPS measures as well.
