restrictions on imports of swine meat in june 2008 brazil raised concerns about mexicos delay in recognizing brazils fmd-free areas and failure to allow importation of brazilian pig meat. the recognition process had been delayed by unjustifiable requests for additional information resulting in a lengthy and costly process. since june 2007 brazil had requested mexico to recognize the state of santa catarina as an fmd-free area without vaccination based on oies decision at its 75th general session. however no response had been given even though these concerns were raised by brazil in bilateral consultations. taking into account the recent decision by the committee on regionalization brazil requested that a working plan containing time-lines and a date for finalizing the recognition process be established. mexico confirmed that brazil had presented information to the competent authorities at the mexico national service for agro-food health safety and quality senasica-sagarpa . those authorities were presently conducting technical analyses and mexico hoped to provide a positive response to brazil in the near future. in february 2009 brazil recalled that the state of santa catarina had been recognized as fmd free in 2007. in 2008 brazil had requested the establishment of a working plan for recognition of this disease-free area taking into account the committees decision on article 6 g sps 48 . brazil had made important investments to achieve freedom from fmd without vaccination. mexican authorities had promised a response but none had been received and no progress had been made. brazil had proposed a new approach brazil had invited mexico to use the good offices mechanism of article 12.2 of the sps agreement and paragraph 6 of the committees working procedures with the presence of a specialist from the oie. brazil was waiting for mexicos response to this proposal and looked forward to the friendly and timely resolution of this issue based on oie standards. mexico indicated that for pig meat the information brazil had provided to the mexican authorities was being studied. mexico had asked for information on brazils toxic residue control plan which had been received in august 2008. in october 2008 mexico had requested additional information about this toxic residue control plan and again in february 2009 without receiving a response. mexicos consideration of this issue would be able to continue when the information was received. the suggestion to use the good offices mechanism had only recently been received and forwarded to the capital. brazil suggested that mexicos request for information was related to a different trade concern regarding heat-treated meat see stc 263 above . brazils residue plan was available on a website. all information on fmd freedom was available to mexico and in addition the oie had studied the information and there had been several bilateral meetings. there was no missing information at this stage but if necessary the information would be provided again. in october 2009 brazil stated that brazils pork had been facing serious restrictions to the mexican market since 2006. mexicos lack of recognition had resulted in import restrictions for santa catarinas pork exports. brazil had tried without success to resolve the issue through bilateral discussions and had proposed the use of the good offices of the sps committee chair. mexico had not responded to this proposal. in july 2009 brazil had received a new request from mexico for very extensive information much of which had already been previously provided. brazil hoped that the new questionnaire was not a means to delay the opening of the mexican market and looked forward to mexicos agreement to use the chairpersons good offices. mexico stated that on 3 july 2009 three questionnaires were submitted to the veterinary services of brazil regarding the import of beef poultry and pork however brazil had not provided any respon