United States of America accepted the amended Convention (1997) subject to the following understandings:
"(1) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS. - The United States understands that nothing in the amended Convention is to be interpreted in a manner inconsistent with, or alters the terms or effect of, the World Trade Organization Agreement on the Application of Sanitary or Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) or other relevant international agreements.
(2) AUTHORITY TO TAKE MEASURES AGAINST PESTS. - The United States understands that nothing in the amended Convention limits the authority of the United States, consistent with the SPS Agreement, to take sanitary or phytosanitary measures against any pest to protect the environment or human, animal, or plant life or health.
(3) ARTICLE XX ('TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE'). - The United States understands that the provisions of Article XX entail no binding obligation to appropriate funds for technical assistance."
Application extended upon ratification to all territories for whose international relations the United States of America is responsible.