Editorial - Biosecurity measures integral to international trade agreements


Derek Belton

International connections and relationships are vital for our biosecurity and maximising the very real benefits we gain from our high animal and plant health status.

We have a wide range of international linkages and relationships, both formal and informal.

These connections and networks help in the development of standards and protocols for the safe import and export of risk goods to and from New Zealand, and enable us to influence the development of international protocols and standards to manage the biosecurity risks associated with international movement of people and goods.

With good international communication channels we learn quickly of the emergence of pests and diseases in other parts of the globe (e.g. bovine spongiform encephalopathy, H5N1 avian influenza, carnal bunt in wheat). And, through the same channels, we can promptly inform the international community of emerging or newly recognised pests and diseases in New Zealand.

We also learn through our international connections about what measures are being trialled, and which ones are ultimately effective in managing pests and diseases elsewhere in the world. Likewise, we contribute our knowledge in biosecurity risk management to the international community.

Internationally agreed protocols and standards are a very powerful influence on the biosecurity measures that we apply within New Zealand. These comprise the international consensus of appropriate measures to manage specific risks. As such, any country wishing to apply measures other than those specified in an international standard needs a very compelling scientific argument to justify their position.

Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) engages in a number of key international standard or protocol setting bodies, with New Zealand officials taking leadership roles in several key forums:

  • The Sanitary and Phytosanitary(1) Committee of the World Trade Organisation (SPS Committee). This committee maintains and implements the World Trade Organisation Agreement on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (the SPS Agreement).
  • The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
  • World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
  • Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex). IPPC, OIE and Codex are international standard-setting bodies recognised in the SPS Agreement. BNZ leads New Zealand engagement in IPPC and OIE, and New Zealand Food Safety Authority leads our engagement in Codex.
  • The Convention on Biodiversity (CBD, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade). BNZ interests in the CBD focus on invasive alien species management, and the Cartagena Protocol, which seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms.
  • The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer (led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade). BNZ interest is principally in the regulation of methyl bromide usage.
  • The International Maritime Organisation (IMO). BNZ interests in the IMO revolve around preventing the introduction of marine pests via ballast water or bio-fouling on vessel hulls.
  • The World Health Organisation (WHO; via the Ministry of Health). BNZ interests in WHO are mainly in the implementation of the International Health Regulations, and risk management programmes for zoonotic disease.

Within these forums, New Zealand argues for standards based on proven science and established risk management principles. This principled approach is well recognised in the international community, and a key strength that we bring to alliances of like-minded countries.

Similarly, when negotiating sanitary and phytosanitary provisions in our trade agreements, we seek facilitation of trade through least trade restrictive measures that have been proven effective in managing recognised biosecurity risks.

New Zealand is party to a number of current trade agreements that include SPS provisions. Our partners in these agreements include Brunei, Chile, Singapore, Thailand, Australia and the European Community.

Trade agreements currently under negotiation with China, Malaysia and the ASEAN group also include SPS provisions.

These agreements provide an ongoing framework that offers opportunities for: strengthening our risk management programme; reciprocal recognition of risk management systems and avoidance of duplication; and greater cooperation and alignment of our input to multi-national forums.

Derek Belton
International Coordination Manager
Biosecurity New Zealand

Page last updated: 30 April 2008