restrictions on fresh grapes in october 2004 chile stated that in 1998 australia was requested to indicate its market access requirements for table grapes. following initial meetings between the regulatory agencies chile understood that the import risk analysis would last approximately 12 months. a number of technical meetings had since taken place however a solution had not been reached despite the provision of all required technical information. the undue delays and changes in the procedures undertaken by australia were a concern to chile. australia noted the concerns expressed by chile and indicated its commitment to work with chile to finalize the import risk analysis as quickly as possible. in march 2005 chile recalled its concerns regarding the undue delays experienced by chilean exporters of fresh grapes to australia which were contrary to the provisions of the sps agreement notably article 5.4 and annex c. in 2004 the ira for chilean fresh grapes had been revised. in february 2005 the draft text of the new ira for chilean fresh grapes had been published and subjected to a 45-day consultation period. chile underlined its serious concerns that this ira would not be finalized in time for the october export period for chilean fresh grapes. the european communities recalledthat the european communities was facing similar problems for various food products. he urged australia to ensure that its sanitary and phytosanitary measures were taken exclusively for sanitary and phytosanitary reasons and without undue delays. australia clarified that biosecurity australia had become a prescribed agency in december 2004 and shortly after had reviewed and reissued several of the draft iras. two of these iras had recently been released for public comments g sps n aus 148 add.1 and g sps n aus 153 add.1 while the revised draft ira on importation of fresh grapes from chile was currently available for public comments on biosecurity australias website. in june 2005 chile noted that on 24 june after a process of consultations and comments the report had been forwarded to the eminent scientists group. chile hoped that the final authorization would be granted before the next grape shipping season in mid-october. the european communities raised concerns regarding the transparency of the australian quarantine regime for fruits and vegetables and noted that long delays before the issuance of a risk assessment had prevented ec exporters from accessing the australian market for years. australia assured chile that it was committed to deliver a science-based risk assessment as soon as possible. the final ira for table grapes from chile was notified to the sps committee in september 2005 g sps n aus 148 add.2 . in december 2005 australia notified to the sps committee that imports of chilean fresh table grapes were now authorized under certain conditions g sps n aus 148 add.3 . in march 2006 chile reported that after discussions with australian authorities a joint work plan had been agreed to resolve the issue.