New Zealand SPS Memos and Submissions

Biosecurity Awareness Programme

G/SPS/GEN/280 PDF (8 KB)

2001

An information note for WTO members on the launch of the Biosecurity Awareness Programme. The programme, entitled Protect New Zealand, has been designed to build public awareness of the importance of protecting New Zealand against economic and social consequences arising from an increasing range of biosecurity threats. Further information can be found at www.biosecurity.govt.nz

This submission by New Zealand was issued as an unrestricted WTO document.

Biosecurity Risk Analysis Policy Statement

G/SPS/GEN/233 PDF (49 KB)

2001

MAF Biosecurity finalized a new policy statement on conducting and applying import risk analyses, and for the information of Members submitted it to the Committee in this document.

This statement by New Zealand was issued as an unrestricted WTO document.

Experiences in recognizing the equivalence of phytosanitary measures

G/SPS/GEN/232 PDF (49 KB)

2001

In response to a request by chairman of the SPS committee for Members to share their experiences on the implementation of equivalence (G/L/423), New Zealand submited this paper on its experience in recognizing equivalence of phytosanitary measures. It deals with recognition, on an ad hoc basis, of the equivalence of particular phytosanitary measures to protect against specific risks.

This submission by New Zealand was issued as an unrestricted WTO document.

Indonesian: restrictions on the importation of fresh fruit - statement by New Zealand at the meeting of 8-9 November 2000

G/SPS/GEN/219 HTML version | PDF (12 KB)

2000

Statement made by New Zealand regarding Indonesian restrictions on the importation of fresh fruit from New Zealand in respect of Mediterranean fruit fly. New Zealand indicated that it considered these restrictions to be unjustified, and requested Indonesia to reconsider and withdraw them.

This statement by New Zealand was issued as an unrestricted WTO document.

The New Zealand experience: operating the SPS notification authority and SPS national enquiry point

G/SPS/GEN/161 HTML version | PDF (23 KB)

2000

This paper presents the nearly five years of experience that New Zealand has had with fulfilling the transparency obligations of the SPS agreement. It is based on a presentation given by New Zealand at the special SPS Committee meeting on transparency provisions held on 9 November 1999.

This presentation by New Zealand was issued as an unrestricted WTO document.

New Zealand submission to G/SPS/W/103 - Questionnaire on the operation of SPS enquiry points and national notification authorities

Submission HTML version | PDF (22 KB)

1999

The purpose of the questionnaire was to collect information from members on the operation of their national enquiry points and notification authorities. Drawing on WTO members' experiences the WTO secretariat with the assistance of the New Zealand SPS Notification Authority and National Enquiry Point developed a manual to assist least-developed countries in the establishment of Enquiry Points and National Notification Authorities.

New Zealand submission to G/SPS/W/102 - Questionnaire on SPS related websites

Submission HTML version | PDF (17 KB)

1999

Please note that since the release of this document several of the web resources have been moved .

At the July 1999 SPS committee meeting, the representative of the European Communities provided information on the establishment of web sites containing information related to the SPS agreement. He noted that publishing relevant information on the internet was a practical way of ensuring transparency. The WTO secretariat offered to prepare a questionnaire to gather information on SPS-related resources available on WTO members' web sites. Following receipt of the responses to the questionnaire, the secretariat compiled the addresses of members' SPS-related web sites in a list and circulated it to Members. In addition, the secretariat established links from the WTO homepage to the web sites of members' national enquiry points and notification authorities.

New Zealand submission to G/SPS/W/101 - Questionnaire on technical assistance

Submission HTML version | PDF (17 KB)

1999

At the 7-8 July 1999 meeting of the SPS committee, the WTO secretariat was requested to prepare a questionnaire addressed to both developed and developing countries with the objective of identifying whether any assistance had been provided to developing countries in the context of the Article 9 of the SPS agreement. The objective of this questionnaire was to gather information on technical assistance WTO members have requested, received or provided in respect of the implementation of the SPS agreement since it came into force on 1 January 1995.

Protocol for the exchange of information: procedures established by New Zealand for the development and implementation of a plant import health standard - submission by New Zealand to the meeting of 15-16 November 1995

Submission HTML version | PDF (50 KB)

1995

This paper describes the procedures that New Zealand has established for the negotiation of bilateral quarantine protocols with reference to plant products. Annex 1 to the paper describes the different stages of bilateral negotiations from the time an application for market access is received to the stage of clearance of a product for entry into New Zealand. New Zealand has found it useful to systematise and make transparent the various processes involved in the development of plant import health conditions. It has enabled us to identify the responsibilities of the importing and exporting countries in the various stages of bilateral negotiations. At the same time the New Zealand authorities have been prepared to be flexible in their approach depending on the circumstances surrounding the application.

The information contained in this paper is current to November 1995. Initially issued as a restricted WTO document, this paper has since been derestricted.

Outline of New Zealand's use of risk assessment procedures in determining SPS measures - submission by New Zealand for the meeting of 26-27 June 1995

Submission HTML version | PDF (13 KB)

1995

New Zealand has been heavily involved in the development and application of risk analysis procedures used in determining SPS measures at both a national and international level. The New Zealand Government has endorsed the use of risk analysis as the basis for establishing New Zealand's SPS requirements and that such requirements be consistent with New Zealand's obligations under the WTO SPS agreement. Further, the New Zealand Government has accepted that the pursuit of a "zero risk" policy is counterproductive globally and domestically, and in reality is not achievable.

The information contained in this paper is current to June 1995. Initially issued as a restricted WTO document, this paper has since been derestricted.

New Zealand: regulatory framework and process for development and adoption of sanitary and phytosanitary measures - submission of New Zealand at the meeting of 29-30 March 1995

Submission HTML version | PDF (10 KB)

1995

This paper sets out the principal features of New Zealand's sanitary and phytosanitary regulatory framework and describes, in general, the processes for development and adoption of sanitary and phytosanitary measures by New Zealand.

The information contained in this paper is current to March 1995. Initially issued as a restricted WTO document, this paper has since been derestricted.

Page last updated: 30 April 2008