restrictions on importation of sugar cane to in july 2001 indonesia raised concerns regarding japans restrictions on the importation of sugar cane to for fear of contamination with fmd although indonesia was recognized as free from fmd. indonesia had cooperated with japans assessment of the fmd situation in indonesia but was concerned about delays and information requirements. indonesia intended to provide the information but requested a clear schedule to ensure a speedy solution. indonesia and argentina requested the oie to explain whether these restrictions could be justified. japan replied that it had notified the animal health authorities in indonesia of the additional information needed for the analysis and was waiting for indonesias response. the oie confirmed that indonesia had been recognized as free from fmd without vaccination g sps gen 266 annex 1 . the international animal health code contained a list of products which could transmit fmd and the list did not include sugar cane g sps gen 240 . the code considered that other products such as cereals fruits vegetables and roots did not present a risk. in october 2001 indonesia reported that in addition to informal bilateral consultations indonesia had also provided detailed information requested in a questionnaire from japan. indonesia was willing to furnish all necessary documentation as any protraction of this problem would have detrimental effects on the indonesian economy. japan stated that at a bilateral meeting certain misunderstandings had been cleared up. japan looked forward to receiving such information as was necessary to resolve this problem. in november 2002 indonesia noted that the japanese animal health inspection team had carried out an fmd risk assessment in indonesia in june 2002. indonesia recalled that the oie had recognized the country as fmd free without vaccination and requested japan to take this into consideration. japan stated that the issue could not be resolved until the risk assessment was completed. further data had been sought from indonesia in order to finalize the risk assessment. in june 2003 indonesia raised concerns that japan continued to ban imports of sugar cane to from indonesia and as a result the indonesian industry had collapsed. japan had not acknowledged that indonesia was free from fmd despite the fact the indonesias fmd-free status had been regularly confirmed by the oie. indonesia welcomed further japanese missions to indonesia but requested japan to specify more clearly the issues of their concern. japan responded that technical consultations had been held and more experts had been dispatched in june 2002 in order to provide japan with additional scientific information. further scientific assessments would now be carried out and japan looked forward to continued consultations.