hygiene standard for distilled spirits and integrated alcoholic beverages in february 2009 mexico indicated that chinas notified regulation g sps n chn 111 classified alcoholic beverages in three categories distilled cereal spirits distilled fruit spirits and other distilled spirits establishing maximum levels of methanol of 0.6 8.0 and 0.6 grams per litre respectively. since tequila was made from agave it was to be classified in the other distilled spirits category. as such it would not have access to the chinese market since according to the relevant mexican standard tequila contained u to 3 grams of alcohol per litre. in 2001 in the context of chinas wto accession mexico and china had signed a memorandum of understanding through which china had recognized that tequila was a product originating in mexico produced according to mexican standards and regulations. mexico requested that china modify its draft measure taking into account the special raw material from which tequila was made and giving tequila the same treatment as distilled fruit spirits. mexicos tequila producers had sent comments to this effect to chinas enquiry point and the mexican government would shortly be submitting comments as well. mexico thanked china for a bilateral meeting on this subject and looked forward to finding a mutually acceptable solution. china encouraged mexico to submit comments to chinas enquiry point. comments received during the comment period would be taken into account. china of course was allowed to take measures necessary to protect health. in june 2009 mexico recalled its concern with chinas regulation for alcoholic beverages regarding maximum quantities of methanol. mexico had provided its comments during the specified period and hoped that these would be taken into account. china clarified that the national standards were applied to all distilled and alcoholic beverages equally and were not aimed specifically at tequila. a written reply to mexicos comments had been provided and china hoped a mutually satisfactory solution would be found through the on-going technical discussions. in october 2009 mexico stated that the federal commission for prevention of sanitary risks of the ministry of health as well as the national tequila industry had submitted comments on chinas standard in september 2009. in addition a risk analysis had been submitted on the content of methanol in tequila. bilateral meetings had taken place on the margins of the sps committee meeting and useful information had been obtained for the review of the standard. mexico reiterated its commitment to work jointly with china on the issue. china confirmed the reception of comments and supporting materials from mexico. china was aware of the particularity of the processing techniques of tequila. chinese experts were currently reviewing comments from different stakeholders and the comments and suggestions from mexico would be taken into consideration in the review of the standard. in october 2011 mexico again expressed concerns on chinas hygienic standard for distilled spirits and integrated alcoholic beverages in particular the maximum established level for methanol in distilled beverages and the classification of tequila. mexico had raised this issue in several bilateral meetings submitted relevant scientific information to assist chinese officials understand the unique features of tequila and had also submitted a bibliographic analysis on the presence of methanol in distilled alcoholic beverages and its relation to consumer health. the private sector had also sent comments to the chinese authorities. mexico pointed out that certain alcoholic beverages with methanol levels higher than tequila such as fruit marc spirits were produced and sold internationally without any reported negative health effects and that tequilas maximum methanol content of three grams per litre was inherent to the product not related to poor quality or processing. mexico concluded that chinas proposed maximum limit on m