import prohibition of milled rice in october 1997 thailand reported that mexico prohibited importation of thai milled rice because of the fungus tilletia barclayana kernel smut although mexican experts visiting thailand had concluded the fungus would be removed during milling and although the fungus existed in mexico. mexico had informed thailand that the prohibition would be replaced by a new regulation but despite high-level consultations no progress had been achieved. mexico assured the committee that the matter would be followed up. in march 1998 thailand indicated that it had received no replies to its written communication to mexico. the mexican delegate replied that he would convey the information to his authorities who were studying the matter. thailand expressed its disappointment at the lack of progress again in june 1998 and mexico stated that the issue was still under consideration. in september 1998 mexico reported on official contacts between the two countries. mexico was conducting a risk assessment but had not received the necessary information from thailand. in november 1998 thailand reported that it had proposed holding consultations with the chairman but that mexico had not agreed. he stressed that there was no data demonstrating the risk of transmission of the fungus tilletia barclayana from thai milled rice. mexico had requested information on a different pest for its risk assessment but thailand did not see the connection between the two issues as this new pest was not listed in the regulation establishing the mexican quarantine measures. thailand was concerned that mexico might request information on one pest after another. mexico repeated that the requested information had not been provided. both countries indicated consultations would continue. in march 1999 thailand indicated that although it had no obligation to do so it was providing the information requested by mexico. mexico noted that its measures had been notified and the text of the measures provided to thailand. mexico would review the latest information and act accordingly. in july 1999 thailand reported that it had handed over additional documents to mexico. some progress had been made at bilateral consultations where it had been clarified that tilletia barclayana was a quarantine disease only for seed imports not with regard to rice imported for consumption. mexico had also found no reports of the presence of the khapra beetle in thailand and would thus modify its regulation which had listed thailand as a country affected by this pest. in november 1999 mexico informed the committee that the phytosanitary regulations were being revised and would be published for comments. mexico had provided thailand with the text of the draft measures. thailand indicated it was looking forward to the publication of the final measure and its notification to wto. in march 2000 thailand noted that mexico had taken new measures replacing the ban but these measures included unusual and unnecessary requirements such as fumigation at point of entry. mexico invited thailand to send official comments on the new draft regulation. in june 2000 thailand reported that bilateral consultations had taken place. thailand had posed a list of questions regarding the measure notified in g sps n mex 153. mexico explained that the questions and comments from thailand were being reviewed by the competent mexican authorities. the sub-committee considering the matter would meet in july 2000 and responses to each of the comments would be published in the official journal before the final standard was published. in november 2000 thailand reported that although every effort had been made to find resolution to this problem the issue was still unresolved. thailand had not been informed of the status of the matter since the meeting of the mexican phytosanitary committee in july and august 2000 and was interested in the expected date of amendment of the relevant mexic