Morocco Launches Safeguard Investigation on Certain Types of Rice
Summary
On 13 April 2026, Morocco notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it initiated a safeguard investigation on imports of certain types of rice. The investigation will determine whether increased rice imports are causing or threatening serious injury to Morocco's domestic rice industry. Interested parties have 30 days from the initiation date to present evidence and views.
What changed
Morocco has formally notified the WTO of a safeguard investigation on certain types of rice imports, initiated on 13 April 2026. The investigation will examine whether increased rice imports are causing or threatening serious injury to Morocco's domestic rice industry.
Exporters, importers, and other interested parties have a 30-day window from the investigation's initiation to make themselves known to Morocco's Ministry of Industry and Commerce and to submit their evidence and views. Any party seeking a hearing must submit a written, reasoned request. If Morocco determines that increased imports are causing serious injury, it may impose temporary safeguard measures restricting rice imports.
What to do next
- Exporters and importers of rice to Morocco should identify themselves as interested parties within 30 days
- Submit comments and evidence to Morocco's Ministry of Industry and Commerce by fax or email
- Request a hearing in writing with reasoned arguments if desired
Archived snapshot
Apr 15, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
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Morocco launches safeguard investigation on certain types of rice
On 13 April 2026, Morocco notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on the same day (i.e. 13 April 2026) a safeguard investigation on imports of certain types of rice.
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In the notification Morocco indicated, among other things, as follows (provisional English translation):
" 4 - Provide a point of contact for the investigation and identify the preferred means for corresponding.
The point of contact would be available to respond to enquiries relating to the procedures applicable to the investigation.
Minist?re de l'Industrie et du Commerce
Direction G?n?rale du Commerce
Direction de la D?fense et de la R?glementation Commerciale
Division de la D?fense Commerciale
Parcelle 14, Business center, aile Nord bd Riad,
Hay Riad. BP 610, Rabat Chellah, Maroc
Tel: +212537. 70.18.46
Fax: +212 537. 72.71.50
E-mail: [email protected]
5 - Provide the deadlines and procedures for importers, exporters and other interested parties to present evidence and their views, including: (i) deadlines and procedures for Members and exporters to identify themselves as interested parties, if so required, to participate in the investigation and (ii) the date of an intended public hearing as provided for in Article 3.1. [..]
All parties have a period of 30 days from the date of initiation of the investigation to make themselves known as interested parties, and to submit their comments on the investigation, by contacting the Ministry by fax or e-mail at the contact details mentioned above. During the investigation, the Department is prepared to listen to the arguments of the various interested parties. Any request for a hearing must be made in writing, be duly reasoned and contain the elements that the interested party wishes to address."
The notification is available in G/SG/N/6/MAR/16. (Currently available in French only.)
What is a safeguard investigation?
A safeguard investigation seeks to determine whether increased imports of a product are causing, or is threatening to cause, serious injury to a domestic industry.
During a safeguard investigation, importers, exporters and other interested parties may present evidence and views and respond to the presentations of other parties.
A WTO member may take a safeguard action (i.e. restrict imports of a product temporarily) only if the increased imports of the product are found to be causing, or threatening to cause, serious injury.
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