World Trade Organization G/SPS/GEN/623 23 January 2006 (06-0293) Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original: Spanish comments on article 6 Regionalization Communication from Ecuador The following communication, received on 20 January 2006, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of Ecuador. _______________ In view of the extensive discussions within this Committee concerning Article 6 of the SPS Agreement and the problems facing Member countries when it comes to the recognition of disease-free areas and areas of low disease and pest prevalence, Ecuador would like to make the following comments: The subject of regionalization and Article 6 of the SPS Agreement has two clearly-defined elements: firstly there is the need for a scientific determination of pest- or disease-free areas and areas of low pest prevalence; and secondly, there is the absence of an expedited administrative procedure, common to all Member coun