   
  
G/SPS/GEN/2186   
30 November 2023  
(23-8157) Page: 1/1 
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: Spanish  
 
  
PANAMA'S UNDUE DELAYS IN THE RENEWAL OF AUTHORIZATIONS FOR PLANTS OF   
PERUVIAN FISHERY AND LIVESTOCK ENTERPRISES (STC NO. 509) 
COMMUNICATION FROM PERU  
The following communication, received on 29 November 2023, is being circulated at the request of 
the delegation  of Peru. 
 
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1.  Peru reiterates its specific trade concern regarding Panama's undue delays in renewing 
authorizations for plants of Peruvian fishery and livestock enterprises.  
2.  With regard to the case of Peruvian plants exporting hydrobiologica l and dairy products, Peru 
wishes to point out that Article 8 of, and Annex C(1)(a) and C(1)(c) to, the SPS Agreement establish 
that the procedures undertaken to check the fulfilment of a sanitary measure must be completed 
without undue delay and the infor mation requirements limited to what is necessary for these 
procedures. Panama has failed to comply with this, since Peruvian enterprises' authorizations have 
not been renewed, with no technical justification, and despite the repeated requests made both 
bilaterally and multilaterally.  
3.  In addition, despite the bilateral efforts undertaken, Panama has failed to communicate the 
anticipated processing period for renewing authorizations in a manner that is timely and based on 
its regulations. There is also no inf ormation or certainty about the length of time that would be 
granted to Peruvian enterprises should renewal of their authorization be secured.  
4.  Unfortunately, Panama has still failed to indicate any health reasons for not renewing the 
authorizations or gran ting new authorizations to Peruvian enterprises. Instead, it is imposing 
conditions without a clear and transparent legal basis.  
5.  In light of the foregoing, Peru asks Panama to renew the authorizations of Peruvian export plants 
and to avoid further delays t hat have no technical justification and that, in practice, represent 
unnecessary barriers to trade.  
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