import restrictions on rice in june 2008 pakistan noted that since 2005 mexico banned the importation of pakistani rice. both countries had engaged in bilateral consultations since 2006 but with marginal progress to date. pakistan was willing to apply mitigation treatments on its rice if necessary but no further information had been provided by the mexican authorities. pakistan considered that mexico was failing to respect its obligations under articles 4 and 5 of the sps agreement. pakistan urged mexico to eliminate the import restrictions imposed on pakistani rice and stressed that pakistan was ready to respond to any request from mexico. mexico observed that it did not agree with the concerns raised by pakistan related to articles 4 and 5. mexico was currently conducting a pest risk analysis in accordance with ippcs standards before allowing the importation of rice from pakistan. in this pest risk analysis mexico was assessing all the potential pests and not only the gorgojo khapra trogoderma granarium . in addition in every meeting of the mexico-pakistan commission mexico had informed pakistan about the latest developments of the risk analysis. a memorandum of understanding between both countries acknowledged the need to complete a risk assessment before allowing imports of rice from pakistan. the results of the pest risk analysis would be conveyed to pakistan as soon as it was concluded. mexico reiterated its willingness to bilaterally work with pakistan on this matter. in october 2008 mexico reported that the concern raised by pakistan regarding restriction of rice imports was resolved however mexico had not yet completed its assessment of plant health risks. pakistan thanked the government of mexico for the efforts undertaken to carry out the required pest risk assessment. pakistan also requested a time-line from mexico for each ste of the pest risk assessment process on plant health. in june 2009 pakistan reported that an agreement had been reached with mexico on this issue and all that was now required was that the final agreed procedures be published. mexico confirmed that only some regulatory aspects had yet to be concluded with regard to the importation of rice from pakistan. in march 2010 mexico indicated that on 21 january 2010 mexico had removed the absolute restrictions on rice imports due to the khapra beetle and replaced it with partial restrictions. this had been notified as g sps n mex 184 add.1. pakistan and other countries that complied with the new phytosanitary requirements should be able to export rice to mexico. pakistan was grateful to mexico for resolving the issue and hoped that this would lead to an increase in economic cooperation and trade between the two countries.