New Zealand and Australia, two countries geographically and culturally close could not come to an agreement with the Australia Import Risk Assessment (IRA) that had set an Apple import ban due to fear of possible pest propagation.They resorted to resolve their differences through the WTO Dispute Settlement Process. This uncovered the inextricabilities of measures taken under the SPS agreement and unraveled some key legal issues that were deemed to be trade protective measures. The decision confirmed in appeal by the Appellate Body is also consistent with previous similar decided cases that show the reluctance of the Dispute Settlement Body to enforce exceptional measures under SPS unless it is clearly warranted and duly supported, ie provided there are a scientific justification and scientific evidence.