Notifications for Morocco (123 notifications)

The notified draft in document G/SPS/N/MAR/55 dated 25 May 2018 has now been adopted by Dahir No. 1.21.67 of 14 July 2021 on phytopharmaceutical products. [Official Journal No. 7008 of 29 July 2021] https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/SPS/MAR/21_6436_00_x.pdf

The notified draft in document G/SPS/N/MAR/65 dated 26 February 2020 has now been adopted by Dahir No. 68.21.1 of 14 July 2021 on fertilizing substances and growing media. [Official Journal No.°7008 of 29 July 2021] https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/SPS/MAR/21_6415_00_x.pdf

In light of the measures taken by Belgium, in accordance with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, to eradicate all declared outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, Morocco has decided to lift the ban on imports of poultry from this country. As a result, poultry from Belgium may be imported into Morocco, provided that it is accompanied by a valid sanitary certificate.

In the light of the measures taken by the Netherlands, in accordance with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, to eradicate all declared outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, Morocco has decided to lift the ban on imports of poultry, poultry meat and poultry meat products, and eggs and egg products from that country. As a result, the above-mentioned products may be imported into Morocco, provided that they are accompanied by valid sanitary certificates.

The proposal notified in document G/SPS/N/MAR/69 of 31 August 2020 has now been adopted by means of Decree No. 2-21-01 of 12 Chaabane 1442 (26 March 2021) on the quality and safety of jams and other similar marketed products (Official Journal No. 6978 of 15 April 2021, page 643). Text available at: https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/SPS/MAR/21_3067_00_f.pdf

The purpose of the notified draft Order setting out the names and characteristics of preserved tomatoes is to establish a regulatory framework for the preserved and semi-preserved vegetable sector within the framework of the new legislation on the safety of food products. The notified draft Order issued under Article 3 of Decree No. 2-20-422 on the quality and food safety of preserved and semi-preserved vegetables aims primarily to: - Provide a definition of tomato concentrate and preserved tomatoes; - establish names for tomato concentrate taking into account dry matter, and for preserved tomatoes taking into account the presentation of the product; - determine the physico-chemical characteristics of tomato concentrate; - specify the packing media used and the ingredients authorized for preserved tomatoes; and - provide for the specific information to be included on labelling.

The purpose of the notified draft Order on table olives is to establish a regulatory framework for the preserved and semi-preserved vegetable sector within the framework of the new legislation on the safety of food products. The notified draft Order issued under Article 3 of Decree No. 2-20-422 on the quality and food safety of preserved and semi-preserved vegetables aims primarily to: - Establish the names of table olives according to the processing method used; - determine the presentation of the product and the defect thresholds permitted by type and category of olive; - classify olives according to level of ripeness - establish the physico-chemical characteristics of table olive brine; and - provide for the specific information to be included on labelling.

In light of the recent cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza reported by the State of Kuwait, measures have been introduced to prohibit the importation into Morocco of poultry of any species, poultry meat, poultry meat products, eggs and egg products from that country. The ban does not apply to poultry meat, poultry meat products and egg products that have been heat-treated to destroy the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, in accordance with OIE recommendations. Upon importation, these products must be accompanied by a sanitary certificate and a certificate issued by the relevant health authorities confirming that they have been heat-treated.

In light of the recent cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza reported by Belgium, measures have been introduced to prohibit the importation into Morocco of poultry of any species, poultry meat, poultry meat products, eggs and egg products from that country. The ban does not apply to poultry meat, poultry meat products and egg products that have been heat-treated to destroy the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, in accordance with OIE recommendations. Upon importation, these products must be accompanied by a sanitary certificate and a certificate issued by the relevant health authorities confirming that they have been heat treated.

The notified text updates the phytosanitary requirements governing the importation into the Kingdom of Morocco of courgette, cucumber, squash, melon, watermelon, onion, shallot, garlic, Welsh onion, leek, chive, carrot, alfafa, rice, tomato, pepper, chilli pepper, bean, broad bean, horse bean, pea, chickpea, vetch, cabbage, lettuce, chicory, endive, maize, wheat, triticale, barley, oat, sorghum, rye, sugar beet, beetroot, sunflower, rapeseed, soybean and lentil seeds, in order to introduce requirements for additional declarations on phytosanitary certificates, as well as the requirement to submit an analysis report certifying the absence of certain viruses and/or bacteria specific to the plants listed above.

In light of the recent cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza reported on 4 November 2020 by the Netherlands, measures have been introduced to prohibit the importation into Morocco of poultry of any species, poultry meat, poultry meat products, eggs and egg products from that country. The ban does not apply to poultry meat and poultry meat products that have been heat-treated to destroy the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, in accordance with OIE recommendations. Upon importation, these products must be accompanied by a sanitary certificate and a certificate issued by the relevant health authorities confirming that they have been heat-treated.

In light of the recent cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza reported on 8 November 2020 by Germany, measures have been introduced to prohibit the importation into Morocco of poultry of any species, poultry meat, poultry meat products, eggs and egg products from that country. The ban does not apply to poultry meat and poultry meat products that have been heat-treated to destroy the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, in accordance with OIE recommendations. Upon importation, these products must be accompanied by a sanitary certificate and a certificate issued by the relevant health authorities confirming that they have been heat-treated.

In light of the measures taken by Germany, in accordance with the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code, to eradicate all declared outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, Morocco has decided to lift the ban on imports of poultry, poultry meat and poultry meat products, and eggs and egg products from this country. As a result, the above-mentioned products may be imported into Morocco, provided that they are accompanied by valid sanitary certificates.

The main objectives of this draft Decree are as follows: - Update the regulatory framework for fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and lay down the definitions of fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and other like products, such as chestnut or prune creams; - Set the minimum levels of fruit, pulp and/or purée for the production of fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and other like products, taking into account international requirements; - Define the ways and means of labelling and marketing fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and other like products.

Draft Decision previously notified in document G/SPS/N/MAR/66 regarding phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction of Spodoptera frugiperda into Morocco and maintain the country's pest-free status with regard to this insect. Modification of content and scope of the draft Decision and introduction of an annex listing the host plants concerned. https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2020/SPS/MAR/20_4010_00_f.pdf

In order to establish an updated frame of reference to ensure the quality and safety of products, consumer information and fair trade, ONSSA, in consultation with the occupation concerned, prepared a draft Decree governing the sector. The main purpose of the notified draft Decree, which is based on Law No. 28-07 on food safety, is to: - Update the regulatory framework for preserved fruit and vegetables; - Make provision for Orders setting out the definitions and names under which preserved and semi-preserved fruit and vegetables can be marketed, as well as their specifications; - Define the ways and means of labelling and marketing preserved and semi-preserved fruit and vegetables.

The notified Decision sets out phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction of Xylella fastidiosa into Morocco and to maintain its status as free from this bacterium.

The notified Decision sets out the applicable phytosanitary measures to prevent the introduction of Spodoptera frugiperda into Morocco and maintain its pest-free status with respect to this insect.

The notified draft law has been prepared with a view to establishing a national legal framework based on international good practices that takes into account farmers' needs and improves agricultural production so as to ensure Moroccan agricultural goods meet their competitiveness objectives. The draft law regulates the marketing, importation, possession and distribution of fertilizing substances, fertilizer additives and growing media. It also governs experimentation with regard to these products.

The notified draft Order is issued under Article 53 of Decree No. 2-10-473 implementing Law No. 28-07 on food safety. It establishes the composition and conditions for the use of packaging from materials intended to come into contact with primary products and food products, such as the general characteristics the materials must fulfil; labelling information that all such materials must bear when marketed; and groups of materials intended to come into contact with primary products and food products, and their specific characteristics.