1.2 Protection or Protectionism?

SPS measures, by their very nature, may result in restrictions on trade.

All governments accept the fact that trade restrictions may be necessary to ensure food safety and animal and plant health protection. However, governments are sometimes pressured to go beyond what is necessary for health protection and to use SPS measures to shield domestic producers from economic competition.

Such pressure is likely to increase as other trade barriers are reduced as a result of the Uruguay Round agreements.

An SPS measure which is not actually required for health reasons can be a very effective protectionist device, and because of its technical complexity, a particularly deceptive and difficult barrier to challenge.