Outcome 2
Safe and Freer Rules-Based Trade
This outcome covers international trade initiatives which enhance the sector's contribution to domestic economic growth and prosperity. The key elements in this outcome relate to trade in primary products (imports and exports; opportunities and rules) and maintaining confidence in the country's domestic biosecurity and food regulatory systems. It includes the importance of global trade liberalisation and the need for New Zealand to take a strategic, principled and consistent approach to international trade rules in order to maintain necessary international influence. This outcome also includes the management of product safety risks associated with international trade.
State indicators:
- Number and economic magnitude of unjustified trade barriers to New Zealand agricultural, horticultural, food and forestry exports.
- Economic loss to New Zealand exporters resulting from agribusiness, food and forestry producer and export subsidies in other countries.
- Economic magnitude of new products able to be exported to existing and newly developed markets where trade barriers exist.
- Level of compliance by exporters with assurance requirements for animals, plants and their products.
- Number and cost of rejections of New Zealand animal or plant product assurances by overseas authorities as a consequence of failure of the New Zealand assurance systems.
- Measures of any inconsistencies in New Zealand's treatment of imports and exports.
- Number of new incursions by harmful biosecurity pests.
- Interceptions and slippage of biosecurity pests at the border.
- The damage caused by biosecurity pests that have established in New Zealand.
| What MAF Does... | Performance Measures | Collaboration | |
Intermediate Outcome 2.1:Maintained and enhanced market access for agricultural, food and forestry products and reduced market distortions resulting from trade rules and market interventions |
MAF will continue to work with MFAT, and others, in pursuing New Zealand's interests in trade negotiations. MAF works to create an international trading environment which will enable New Zealand businesses to maximise their comparative and competitive advantages. |
|
Close and effective cooperation with MFAT continues, especially with respect to the Doha Round of the WTO negotiations and on-going Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Close contact with the MED, Treasury, Customs and other relevant departments is also maintained in order to better pursue goals. |
Intermediate Outcome 2.2:Credible and trusted animal and plant product assurance |
In a country which exports most of the food it produces, MAF recognises that domestic food safety issues impact on trading partners' governments and their consumers' perceptions of New Zealand products. Worldwide, consumers expect their governments to provide credible assurances covering food and food-related products at all times. MAF endeavours to provide official assurances in a timely and effective manner to ensure improved market access. |
|
MAF works with MFAT and with international bodies such as Codex, OIE (the World Organisation for Animal Health), and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) at a multi-lateral level to review international standards for trade and to promote New Zealand internationally. |
Intermediate Outcome 2.3:Balanced export and import regime covering the safety and suitability aspects of trade in animal and plant products |
MAF recognises that it is essential to view trade as a two-way street and to maintain this close link and balance between New Zealand's import and export regimes. With NZFSA now responsible for domestic food safety and for providing assurances for food-related exports, MAF is now responsible for regulating both imports and exports of all animals, plants and their products. MAF also has key regulatory control over export and import related biosecurity risks and trade facilitation. |
|
MAF manages the New Zealand-Australia treaty covering joint food standards
setting, primarily in the area of labelling and composition, which is a key
component of the Closer Economic Relationship between New Zealand and
Australia. MAF works with MFAT at an international level to negotiate trade rules and criteria with other countries. |
Intermediate Outcome 2.4:Protection of land-based and aquatic environments, primary production systems, trade, and human health and wellness from biosecurity pests |
MAF manages the biosecurity risks arising from increased trade and an increasing flow of goods and passengers across the border. MAF's role in managing these risks is important to achieving economic growth and protecting both the production base and the natural environment. |
|
Being responsible for implementing the Biosecurity Strategy across the entire biosecurity system, requires that MAF partners with a number of external agencies with biosecurity related accountabilities. For example, MAF works with Regional Councils and the Ministry of Fisheries to identify risk sites and monitor high risk vessels for sea squirt Styela clava. Customs assists MAF in risk profiling and management of goods, craft and passengers at the border. |
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
Contact this person
