. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/EEC/208/Add.1
27 October 2003
(03-5676)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English
NOTIFICATION
Addendum
The following communication, dated 22 October 2003, has been received from the
European Communities.
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Bees ( Apis mellifera and Bombus spp. ), hives, queens with or without attendants, and bee-keeping
material
The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/EEC/208 (dated 25 July 2003)1 as been modified to take
account of comments received from WTO Members.  In the amended proposal:
• Countries that the EC considers to ha ve appropriate competence, veterinary
legislation and infrastructure to verify the conditions required in the health certificate
will be authorized to export bees to the EU.  These countries are listed in Council
Decision 79/542/EEC2.
• The presence of both tropilaelaps  and the small hive beetle are officially notifiable in
all countries wishing to export bees to the EU.
• In view of the natural lack of susceptibility from infestation by the small hive beetle
and the contained environment where they are bred, importation into the EC of singleconsignments of "bumble bee" colonies of up to 200 adult bumble bees will be
allowed.  It is the view of the EC that these imports of bumble bees pose a minimal
risk.
EC trade partners should be aware that, when this proposal be adopted, the EC member States
will rescind existing national conditions that may be in place regarding the import of bees, such as for
instance those notified in G/SPS/N/FRA/6 (d ated 16 May 2003) and will reinstate the single
harmonized trade conditions for the whole of the EC territory.
                                                     
1 Draft Commission Decision concerning the animal health conditions and certificate for imports of
bees/hives, queens and their attendants from certa in third countries and repealing Commission Decision
2000/462/EC (Document SANCO/10399/2003 Rev.5).
2 Council Decision 79/542/EEC, as last amended by Commission Decision 2001/731/EC of
16 October 2001 amending Council Decision 79/542/EEC drawing up a list of third countries from which themember States authorize imports of bovine animals, swine, equidae, sheep and goats, fresh meat and meatproducts, in particular, in relation to New Caledonia and the Islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon ( O.J. L274,
17/10/2001, pp. 22-27 ).G/SPS/N/EEC/208/Add.1
Page 2
The EC considers that, as infestations by " Aethina tumida " and tropilaelaps spp.  mite are not
currently listed by the OIE, and taking into account the potential serious health risks posed to the EC
bee population, the proposed measures maintain a substantial amount of trade from third countries and
are proportionate to achieve the appropriate level of protection from infestation by these two pests.
The notified document can be obtained from the EEC Enquiry Point.
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