./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/USA/137
30 September 1998
(98-3779)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  UNITED STATES
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:   Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
3. Products covered (tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited
with the WTO.  ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):   Solid
Wood Packing Material
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:   Solid Wood Packing Material from
China
5. Description of content:  The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is
amending the regulations for importing logs, lumber and other unmanufactured wood
articles by adding treatment and documentation requirements for solid wood packing
material imported from China.  This change means that wooden pallets, crating, dunnage,
and other wooden packing material imported into the United States from China will have to
be heat treated, fumigated or treated with preservatives prior to departure from China.  Thisaction will affect anyone who uses solid wood packing material in connection with
exporting commodities from China to the United States.  This action is necessary to control
the risk that solid wood packing material from  China could introduce dangerous plant pests,
including forest pests, into the United States, a risk demonstrated by many recent incidents
where exotic pests were detected in solid wood packing material from China.
6. Objective and rationale: Plant health
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [ X ].
If an international standard, guideline or  recommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:   APHIS is taking this action in accordance with Article 6, paragraph 1
of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  63 FR 50100,
18 September 1998 (available in English – 12 pages);  7 CFR Part 319 and 354
9. Proposed date of adoption:  To be determined
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  17 December 1998G/SPS/N/USA/137
Page 2
11. Final date for comments:  17 November 1998
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA
12.Texts available from:  National enquiry point [     ] or address, telefax number and
E-mail address (if available) of other body:
United States SPS Enquiry Point
USDA/FAS/FSTSD
Attn:  Carolyn F. Wilson
Room 5545 South Agriculture Building
Stop 1027
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20250Tel:  (202) 720 22 39
Fax:  (202) 690 06 77
E-mail:  ofsts@fas.usda.gov