indias fumigation requirements for cashew nuts in july 2017 senegal reported that since january 2017 india mandated the use of methyl bromide fumigation. however senegal noted that methyl bromide use had been discontinued by several countries because of its high toxicity and its negative effects on the ozone layer as reflected in the montreal protocol. senegal explained that it had abandoned the use of methyl bromide in 2002 and stressed that no cases of non-conformity with sanitary requirements had been detected. senegal noted that in practice the restriction was not being enforced on products from senegal and thanked india for its cooperation but underlined that the measure was still in force and its need for certainty for future shipments. burkina faso kenya madagascar nigeria and togo reported that they were also affected by the measure. togo further indicated that india had also notified of the required use of the fumigant for its timber exports. these members invited india to apply the principle of equivalence and stressed the negative effects of the use of methyl bromide. the russian federation also expressed its interest in this concern and in the implementation of the measure. india replied that relaxation of the measure had been extended u to 31 december 2017 to allow fumigation on arrival. india also directed members to additional information available on the website www.agricoop.nic.in . india requested senegal to provide bio efficacy data to nppo india regarding the effectiveness of alternative fumigants. in november 2017 senegal reiterated its concern over indias methyl bromide fumigation requirements for cashew nuts. senegal noted that methyl bromide use had been discontinued by several countries due to its high toxicity and negative effects on the ozone layer. senegal reported on the exchange of documents with india and scientific publications regarding the effectiveness of aluminium phosphate as an alternative fumigant and urged india to accept its use. the united states associated itself with the concern expressed by senegal on the fumigation of imported products with methyl bromide particularly as it affected peas and pulses. the united states expressed its commitment to continue to find alternatives to methyl bromide fumigation as a pest mitigation measure and encouraged india to consider that methyl bromide was not necessary in cases of negligible pest risk. burkina faso colombia madagascar mozambique nigeria togo and ukraine shared senegals concern. madagascar reported that it had held bilateral discussions with india on the fumigation requirement for agricultural products. burkina faso referred to its cashew nuts exports urging india to accept the principle of equivalence in order to facilitate trade of agricultural products. ukraine shared the concern as it prohibited the use of methyl bromide for fumigation and had therefore submitted alternatives to india. togo urged india to accept aluminium phosphate as an alternative fumigant. colombia supported the systemic concern on indias fumigation requirement and its environmental and trade implications. india responded that its phytosanitary requirements were consistent with its wto obligations. india reiterated that until 31 december 2017 agricultural imports from countries whose products could not be fumigated with methyl bromide at the port of export could be fumigated upon arrival in india. finally india had also made a formal request to senegal for information to consider its request for alternative fumigants. the united states commented that india had only responded to senegal without providing a response to the concerns raised by other members and requested that india circulate a document with the fumigation requirement applicable to other members in particular to the united states. india reiterated that its phytosanitary requirements were consistent with its wto obligations and that the information was available on its official website www.agri