cut flowers ecuador indicated that it had submitted a list of questions regarding the scientific grounds for the ec measure on cut flowers the risk analysis the methods to be used at entry ports special treatment for developing countries and possible alternative measures. israel expressed concern over changes in inspection procedures that could detrimentally affect deliveries to its major export market. kenya asked to receive a copy of the ec response to ecuadors questions. the european communities explained that the notification covered four harmful non-native organisms that were regularly intercepted on certain commodities including cut flowers amauromyza maculosa bemisia tabaci non-european populations liriomyza sativae and thrips palmi. at present most cut flowers were not subject to plant health checks but it appeared they were a pathway for the organisms in question and control measures needed to be strengthened. to assess the comments made by members the proposed date of entry into force of the draft amended regulation had been deferred. in november 2002 israel expressed concern with ec regulation 2002 36 eec. while israel appreciated that the european communities had modified and delayed the entry into force of the proposed revision until april 2003 israel was of the view that until the european communities had finalized its pest risk assessment the new regulation should be a temporary not a permanent measure. israel was further concerned that the european communities was not taking measures to control pests already established in the ec member states from spreading to new areas and requested consultations with the european communities and other interested members. kenya also expressed hope that a solution would be found to the problem. the european communities replied that the question was complex and went beyond a simple matter of the use of the precautionary principle. the ambitious pest eradication measures of the european communities should not be undermined by imports. the european communities agreed to bilateral consultations with israel and kenya. in april 2003 israel noted that ec notification g sps n eec 131 concerned an amendment to regulation 2000 29 ec which came into force on 1 april 2003 and might have significant effects on the export of plant products from a number of members. at bilateral consultations with the european communities in march 2003 israel expressed concerns regarding differentiation between european and non-european varieties of bemisia tabaci and the existence of the non-european variety in some ec member states. israel was in the process of analyzing the two pest risk analyses produced by the european communities. kenya stated it shared israels concerns with regard to unnecessary delays and adverse effects on cut flowers exports. bilateral consultations with the european communities on technical assistance for capacity building had not progressed as desired although kenya was still hopeful of an amicable solution. the european communities recalled that the measures had been enacted after constant interceptions of pests on products like fresh flowers led ec member states to review their protective measures. the proposed measures were notified to the wto on 19 july 2001 and were to take effect on 1 january 2002. however the european communities had postponed entry into force until 1 april 2003 after consideration of the difficulties faced by certain exporting countries. nevertheless the european communities had a responsibility to maintain its appropriate level of protection and could not indefinitely postpone the implementation of these measures. the european communities had taken all necessary measures to avoid any breakdown to trade and offered to hold bilateral consultations on the matter. in november 2017 the secretariat informed that in september 2017 it had contacted all members who had raised specific trade concerns stcs that had n