Technical Rules in Trade
Why is this a priority?
MAF is heavily involved in trade negotiations as their outcome directly affects the social, economic and environmental performance of the primary sector and its contribution to New Zealand's future prosperity. New Zealand exports 80 percent of its animal and plant products and imports 25 percent of its food, therefore the management of the benefits and risks associated with trade are critical for the success of both the industry and New Zealand's international reputation. New Zealand's reputation is currently unrivalled in terms of competence, integrity and leadership in trade of animal and plant products. It has led to an acceptance of New Zealand as a world leader in quality assurance and inspection systems in general. This reputation is a priceless asset and must be protected for the sake of industry and the economy. New Zealand's commitment to international agreements (for example, the WTO and the Sanitary Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement) creates an obligation on the government to focus on the technical rules of trade, minimising unjustified technical trade barriers and ensuring standards are based on scientific principles.
What is MAF aiming to achieve by focusing on this priority?
- The Technical Rules in Trade strategic priority objective is:
- A trading environment where trade is viewed as a two-way street and where health protocols covering trade in animal and plant products are true to the principles of international agreements, benefiting the New Zealand economy without prejudicing social wellbeing.
- Use of a risk-based approach to animal and plant product imports with a focus on risk and probability rather than hazards and possibility in order to create a safe trading environment and healthy primary production sector.
- Maintenance and enhancement of the country's valuable reputation in the international market-place, and ongoing performance measurement of the sector.
- More specific objectives are likely to include:
- Minimising unnecessary barriers to international trade.
- Working towards a single economic market with Australia.
- Maintaining strong links with other New Zealand agencies which can influence trade standards − especially Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH).
- Access to good science and innovation to underpin opportunities for industry.
What are some of the critical issues that MAF is addressing?
MAF is involved in the following critical issues that are facing the sector:
- International standards and obligations.
- Enhancing trans-Tasman arrangements.
- Maintaining credibility of New Zealand authorities and their international reputation.
- Negotiation of bilateral market access terms of trade.
- Scientific and technical capability including risk assessment and risk management capability.
In dealing with technical rules in trade, MAF largely works with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) at both the multi-lateral and bi-lateral levels. New Zealand is committed to the WTO and to the SPS Agreement, which means that MAF has a significant role in ensuring standards set are complementary and address all safety issues throughout the production/processing continuum. This is partly achieved though the adoption of a risk-based approach to import health standards and a principled approach to negotiating bilateral market access protocols. MAF will continue to challenge unjustified sanitary measures applied by trading partners through MFAT and continue to manage a range of stakeholder views and priorities on a national level.
Contact for Enquiries
Strategy and Performance Group
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0738
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