balance in

TRADE
Understanding how the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement helps protect New Zealands
people, economy and environment while improving trade opportunities
Crown copyright Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Food Safety Authority 2009
ISBN 978-0-478-33880-5 (Print)
ISBN 978-0-478-33881-2 (Online)
conTEnTs
Foreword 1
Introduction why the sPs Agreement matters 2
1 What is the sPs Agreement 4
2 The sPs Agreement and new Zealand 13
3 challenges for the future 16
contacts 17
Glossary 18
Further copies
Tis report can be downloaded from http://www.maf.govt.nz.
You can request hard copies from:
SPS Enquiry Point
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
Tel: 64 4 894 0431
Email: sps@maf.govt.nz
2009 Crown copyright Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Afairs and Trade, New Zealand
Food Safety Authority
ISBN 978-0-478-33880-5 (Print)
ISBN 978-0-478-33881-2 (Online)
Disclaimer
Te information in this publication by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign
Afairs and Trade and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority is based on the best information available
at the time it was written and all due care was exercised in its preparation. As it is not possible to foresee
all uses of this information or to predict all future developments and trends, any subsequent action that
relies on the accuracy of the information in this publication is the sole commercial decision of the user
and is taken at their own risk. Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of
Foreign Afairs and Trade and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority disclaims any liability whatsoever
for any losses or damages arising out of the use of this information, or in respect of any actions taken.
1
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NewZealanddependsontradeforitsprosperity.Fair
andconsistentrulesforinternationaltradebeneft
NewZealandaswellasourtradingpartners.Tese
countriesrequireanassurancethatourexportsaresafe.
Similarly,theNewZealandgovernmenthastomanage
therisksthatimportedgoodscanposetothesafetyof
ourfood,ourproductivebaseandtoournativeplants
andanimals.
TeWorldTradeOrganization(WTO)Agreementon
theApplicationofSanitaryandPhytosanitaryMeasures
(SPSAgreement)setsinplacerulesthatprotecteach
countryssovereignrighttotakethemeasuresnecessary
toprotectthelifeorhealthofitspeople,animals,
andplantswhileatthesametimefacilitatingtrade.It
embodiesandpromotestheuseofscience-basedrisk
assessmentsinmanagingtherisksassociatedwiththe
internationalmovementofgoods.
NewZealand,asamemberoftheWTO,hasthe
sovereignrighttodecideitsownlevelofhealth
protection.Wealsoexpectourexportstobeallowed
tocompetefairlyinforeignmarkets,whilemeetingthe
levelofprotectionrequiredbytheimportingcountry.
Wethereforehaveastronginterestinthesettingof
internationalstandardssothattheyprotectlifeand
healthbutdonotunnecessarilyrestricttrade.
WecommendthispublicationtoNewZealandersasa
clearsummaryoftheinternationalrulesforfoodsafety,
andprotectinghuman,animalandplantlifeorhealth
whentrading.
HonDavidCarter
MinisterofAgriculture
MinisterforBiosecurity
MinisterofForestry
HonTimGroser
MinisterofTrade
HonKateWilkinson
MinisterforFoodSafety
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why the SPS Agreement mAtterS
Attheheartoftheworldtradingsystemisthe
WorldTradeOrganization(WTO).By2008the
WTOhad153members,representingmostofthe
worldstradingnations.
Tarifsandquotashaveformanyyearsbeenthe
biggestbarrierstotrade.Tesearecontinually
beingreducedthroughnegotiationsintheWTO.
Measurestoprotectagainstthespreadofdiseases
andpestsbytradedgoodsmayalsobebarriersto
trade.TeSPSAgreementisabouthowtoapply
sanitary(humanandanimalhealth)measuresand
phytosanitary(planthealth)measuresinawaythat
doesnotunnecessarilyrestricttrade.
Anincreasingvolumeofinternationaltradeand
travelmeansthatallcountries,NewZealand
included,needtobemorevigilantthanever
againstpestsanddiseasesthatthreatenthehealth
oftheirpeople,animalsandplants.Likewise,
countriesrightlyexpectthefoodtheyimportto
meettheirownstandardsofsafety.
Sofreedomtotrade,andthebeneftsthatresult,
mustbebalancedagainsttheneedtoprotect
people,animalsandplantsfromunacceptablerisks
tohealthandsafety.
WTOmembercountriesnegotiatedtheSPS
Agreementtohelpachievethisbalance.It
establishesprinciplesthatcountriesarecommitted
toupholdwhentradinginanimals,plantsand
theirproducts.TeSPSAgreementdoesnot
stopcountriesfromprotectinghealthandsafety.
Rather,itallowsthemtodeterminetheirownlevel
ofprotectionbutrequiresthatanyrestrictions
ontradeneededtoachievethatprotectionbe
non-discriminatory,transparentandscientifcally
justifed.
Fart 1 looks at the SPS Agreement in detail.
Fart 2 looks at how the SPS Agreement affects
New Zealand.
Fart 3 describes some of the future challenges in
implementing the SPS Agreement.
Finally there is a short 0Iossary of terms and guide
to further sources of information.
Freedom to trade, and the
benefts that result, must be
balanced against the need to
protect people, animals and plants
from unacceptable risks to health
and safety.
IhTk000TI0h 3
our food, bre and
forestry producers
and exporters
becausetheygenerate
almosttwo-thirdsof
NewZealandsexports
ofgoods,andemploy
hundredsofthousandsof
NewZealanders,directly
andindirectly.
our biosecurity
becauseitmakesclearthe
factorsthatshouldbetaken
intoaccountwhensanitary
andphytosanitarymeasures
areappliedtoprotectour
uniquenaturalresources,
andplantsandanimals,from
damagingpestsanddiseases.
The 8F8 Agreenent is inportant to:
our peopIe as citizens
becauseitallowsustoprotecthumanand
environmentalhealthfromdamagingpests
anddiseases.
our peopIe as consuners
becauseitallowsustoensurethatfood
importsaresafetoeat.
our inporters
whobeneftfrom
certaintyoverimport
requirements.In
turn,processorsand
commercialusersof
importedfood,animal
andplantproductsalso
beneft.
deveIoping countries
thatcanusetheinternational
frameworkforSPSarrangements
amongcountries,irrespectiveoftheir
economicandtechnicalcapability.
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A change in phiIosophy
TeWTOanditsagreements,includingtheSPS
Agreement,werecreatedandputintoforcein
1995.TeSPSAgreementrepresentedasignifcant
changeinphilosophyinthattradecannow
notbeprohibitedwithoutgoodreason,suchas
protectinghuman,animalandplantlifeorhealth.
BeforetheSPSAgreement,countriescouldand
didimposebarrierstoimportsonsometimes-
dubioushealthgroundswiththeburdenbeingon
potentialexporterstoprovethatsuchbarrierswere
notjustifed.TeSPSAgreementnowrequiresthat
anyimportrestrictionsthatareimposedmustbe
supportedbyscientifcevidence,andbebasedona
riskassessmentorinternationalstandard.
TeSPSAgreementmaintainsthesovereignright
ofanygovernmenttodeterminethelevelofhealth
protectionitdeemsappropriate,butitalsoaims
tostopabuseofthisrightandtheproliferationof
unnecessarybarrierstointernationaltrade.Tisis
consistentwiththeoveralltrade-enhancingthrust
oftheWTOsystem.
What the 8F8 Agreenent covers
TeSPSAgreementcoversallSPSmeasuresthat
afectorhavethepotentialtoafecttrade
betweenWTOmembers.Itestablishesprinciples
thatmembersmustfollowwhentheysetmeasures
forprotectingthelifeorhealthoftheirpeople,
animalsorplantswhenimportinganimals,plants
andtheirproducts.SPSmeasuresapplyto
productsmovedbetweencountries.
TeSPSAgreementdoesnotcover:
measuresforthewelfareofanimals;
measuresforprotectingthephysical
environment(forexample,waterandair
quality);
measuresforprotectingthehealthofanimals
beingtransportedbetweencountriesbutnot
beingtraded(e.g.companioncatsanddogs);
and

non-health/non-safety-relatedconsumer
interests(forexample,labelingforconsumer
choiceandpackagingoffood).
TeseareaddressedbyotherWTOagreements,for
exampletheAgreementonTechnicalBarriersto
Trade(TBTseebox).
SPSmeasuresarerequirementsthatareapplied:
toprotecthumanoranimallifeorhealthfrom
risksarisingfromadditives,contaminants,
toxinsordisease-causingorganismsinfoodsor
beverages;
toprotecthumanlifeorhealthfromrisksarising
fromdiseasescarriedbyanimals,plantsortheir
products,orfromtheentry,establishmentor
spreadofpests;
toprotectanimalorplantlifeorhealthfrom
theentry,establishmentandspreadofpests,
diseasesororganismsthatcarryorcause
disease;and
topreventorlimitotherdamagetoacountry
fromtheentry,establishmentorspreadofpests.

Key features
The SPS Agreement covers all sanitary and phytosanitary
(SPS) measures standards, guidelines and
recommendations to protect human, animal and plant life
or health that affect international trade between WTO
members.
The SPS Agreement preserves national sovereignty:
countries have the right to protect the life or health of their
people, animals and plants.
SPS measures must be necessary and based on scientifc
principles. They must not be maintained without scientifc
justifcation.
SPS measures must not discriminate unfairly between
countries or between imported and domestically produced
goods.
SPS measures are to be based on international standards
wherever possible, but WTO members can adopt a
measure that is more stringent than an international
standard, provided the measure is scientifcally justifed.
The SPS Agreement provides guidance on using precaution
when making decisions on SPS measures.

5
The TBT Agreement a WTO agreement
The TBT Agreement covers all technical standards or regulations except where they are SPS measures as
defned by the SPS Agreement. While the two Agreements are fundamentally different, they have some important
principles in common. These include:
basic obligations to not discriminate between foreign and local products of the same type;
requirements for notifying proposed measures in advance of implementing them (transparency); and
creating offcial points for conveying and receiving information.
The SPS Agreement relates specifcally to regulations for protecting human, animal and plant life or health.
Under the SPS Agreement, SPS measures must not be arbitrary or cause unjustifable differences in the level of
protection considered appropriate in different situations. The SPS Agreement requires that regulations must be
scientifcally justifed.
In contrast, the TBT Agreement simply states that general technical regulations and standards including
packaging, marking and labeling requirements must not create unnecessary barriers to trade and must not
restrict trade more than necessary to fulfll a legitimate objective. Legitimate objectives include national security,
preventing deceptive practices, and protecting the environment.

Tetermanimalorplantlifeincludesmarineand
freshwaterfsh,bees,forests,andbothnativeand
valuedintroducedfaunaandfora.
The appropriate IeveI of protection
a key concept
Itisimpossibleforanycountry,evena
geographicallyremoteislandnationlike
NewZealand,toisolateitselffromallrisksof
importedpestsordiseases.Achievingzerorisk
isimpossible:tourismwouldhavetobebanned
completely,aswouldallimportsofgoods.
Eventhen,zeroriskcouldnotbeassured.For
instance,pestsanddiseasescouldenterthrough
smugglingorbynaturalmeanssuchaswind-borne
movement,migratorybirds,orviaoceancurrents
inthecaseofmarineorganisms.
Tradeincreasessomeoftheserisks.For
NewZealand,whichdependsonbothimportsand
exports,therisksmustbeappropriatelymanaged.
Recognisingthatzeroriskisunattainable,theSPS
Agreementinsteadenshrinestherightofeach
countrytodeterminethelevelofprotectionthatit
considersappropriate.Whilethisappropriatelevel
ofprotection(ALOP)willbeajudgement,theSPS
Agreementstipulatesthatthemeasuresapplied
toachieveitmustbefrmlybasedonscientifc
evaluation.
BeforetheSPSAgreement,governmentscould
respondtopressurefromdomesticproducers,
forexample,bysettingahighlevelofprotection
againsttheentryofacommoditythatwould
competewithdomesticproducts.Atthesametime,
theycouldsetalowerlevelofprotectionagainst
similarrisksposedbyotherimportedcommodities
thattheyconsideredeconomicallybenefcial,
suchascommoditiesnotproducedlocally,or
neworsuperiorvarietiesofplantsorbloodlines
oflivestock.ButtheSPSAgreementmeansthat
governmentsmaynolongerapplydiscriminatory
measures.Teremustbeconsistencybetween
thelevelsofprotectionconsideredappropriate
inlikesituations.Tisallowstradetofowmore
predictably.
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? ?
8ALAh0 Ih TkA0 6
Althoughthetermappropriatelevelofprotection
isrelativelynew(i.e.sincetheinceptionofthe
SPSAgreementin1995),theconceptisnot.
Governmentsandregulatoryauthoritiesin
NewZealandhad,formanyyears,madedecisions
onwhichriskstoaccept,andontheextentand
targetingofactionsaimedatmitigatingrisk.Tese
decisionshave,inefect,beenaboutNewZealands
ALOP.Tesedecisionsaremadeafer
consultinginterestedpartiessuchasconsumers,
environmentalorganisationsandindustry,and
takeintoaccount,throughthepoliticalprocess,the
viewsofallstakeholders.
TeALOPrefectsjudgementsofthecommunity
aswellasscience-basedevidence.Tismeansitcan
changeovertime.Ittakesintoaccountthebenefts
oftrade,includingpeoplesaccesstoimported
goods,aswellastheconsequencesofincursions
ofpestsordiseasesonindustries,biodiversityand
society.
kisk assessnent a scientic basis
for 8F8 neasures
WTOmembersareobligedtoensurethattheir
SPSmeasuresarebasedonscientifcevidence.
Iftheyarenotusinginternationalstandards
thisentailsriskassessment.Riskassessmentisa
scientifcdiscipline(andonecomponentofthe
widerdisciplineofriskanalysiswhichincludes
riskmanagementandriskcommunication).It
helpsregulatorsassembleandanalysedatainan
objective,transparentandconsistentway,sothat
decisionsaboutmanagingriskscanbemadeona
soundtechnicalbasis.
AnyWTOmemberafectedbyadecisionisusually
entitledtoseetherationaleforthedecisionsmade
byanotherWTOmemberindevelopinganSPS
measure.
Countriesmayconducttheirownriskassessments
toevaluaterisksandtheirpossibleconsequences.
WhencarryingoutariskassessmentforSPS
measures,acountrymusttakeintoaccountarange
offactorssuchas:
availablescientifcevidence;
relevantprocessesandproductionmethods(for
example,foranimalorplantproducts);
relevantinspection,samplingandtesting
methods(inboththeimportingandexporting
countries);
prevalenceofspecifcdiseasesorpests(inboth
theimportingandexportingcountries);
existenceofpest-ordisease-freeareas(inboth
theimportingandexportingcountries);
relevantecologicalandenvironmental
conditions(inboththeimportingandexporting
countries);and
quarantineorothertreatment(inboththe
importingandexportingcountries).
Telistisnotexhaustive;otherrelevantfactors
maybeconsidered.

What could
go wrong?
How likely is it
to go wrong?
What would be the
consequences?
A risk assessnent typicaIIy answers three questions:
7
Risk analysis in New Zealand
Consumers in overseas markets supplied by New Zealand are increasingly concerned about protecting their
own health, and that of their animals and plants, and the safety of their food. At the same time, consumers are
demanding access to new products from new sources. This increases the volume and diversity of trade in primary
products. Because the safe movement of animals, plants and their products in and out of New Zealand is so
important to our economic well-being, the discipline of risk analysis plays a crucial role in trade.
These are some of the issues that play a part in decisions by New Zealand regulators:
Frotecting hunan heaIth from zoonotic and insect-borne diseases, and from venomous species.
Maintaining food safety: Assuring the safety of food produced domestically or imported from other countries is
essential for maintaining the health and confdence of consumers in New Zealand and overseas.
Frotecting hew ZeaIands aninaI and pIant heaIth status: New Zealands freedom from many of the worlds most
harmful pests and diseases is an invaluable asset that must be protected.
Market access: In order to preserve and enhance our access to overseas markets, New Zealand must be able
to assure other governments that our agricultural products are safe. The mutual acceptance for methods of
assessing risk by governments facilitates this assurance.

0uantitative and quaIitative risk

assessnent
Insomecasestheriskofanadverseeventis
expressednumerically.Tisisquantitativerisk
assessment.Inothercasesthenatureandseverity
oftheriskareassessed,butwithoutquantifcation
andtheriskestimateisnotreportedinquantitative
terms.TisisquaIitativeriskassessment.
Riskassessmentalsoevaluatestheconsequences
ofanadverseevent.Tismightbemeasuredin
termsofthecostsofcontrollingoreradicating
anewdiseaseandtheeconomicimpactoflost
productionorsales.
Oncethelevelofriskhasbeenidentifed,options
formanagingtheriskareevaluated.Fromthose,
oneormoreoptionsarechosentomitigateriskto
thelevelconsideredacceptable.
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how the 8F8 Agreenent is appIied
0hoosing 8F8 neasure
WherethereisachoiceofSPSmeasurestoreduce
risktoanacceptablelevel,WTOmembersmust
choosetheonethatrestrictstradetheleast.Similar
risksassociatedwithtrademustbemanaged
consistently,evenifthecommoditycomes
fromdiferentcountries.Countriesmustavoid
unjustifabledistinctionsbetweenlevelsofSPS
protectionappliedtolikesituations.Tismeans
thattheymustbeabletojustifyanydiferencesin
thewaytheytreatimportsfromdiferentcountries
withsimilarhealthstatus.
Transparency
WTOmembersarerequiredtonotifyeachother
ofproposednewregulationsforfoodsafetyand
protectinganimalandplantlifeorhealth.Tese
areopenforcommentandenquirybyother
WTOmembers.Tissystemisoneofthekey
innovationsoftheSPSAgreementandensuresa
nosurprisesapproachtotradebetweenWTO
members.
BeforetheSPSAgreement,oneofthegreatest
difcultiesforexporterswasfndingoutallthe
requirementsofimportingcountries.AnSPS
notifcationtakesinformationsharingtoan
internationallevelandallowspotentialproblems
tobeidentifedearly.Teresultsofariskanalysis
canalsobeopentoscrutiny.Teriskanalysis
processassemblesavailabledatainanorderly
andtransparentfashion,providingabasisfor
informedandobjectivedecisionmaking.By
allowingothermemberstocomment,WTO
membersensurethattheirSPSmeasureswill
withstandinternationalscrutiny,whileprotecting
Communicating SPS information between
New Zealand and its WTO partners
The National Enquiry Point for SPS matters in New Zealand
plays an important role in facilitating compliance with
New Zealands obligations for transparency under the SPS
Agreement for example, passing on information about
New Zealand SPS measures and its systems to other WTO
members.
The National Notifcation Authority conveys information on
notifcations of New Zealands new SPS measures to WTO
trading partners through the WTO secretariat in Geneva, for
example, deciding whether a notifcation is necessary, when
to notify, and processing and sending the notifcation. The
National Notifcation Authority also receives notifcations from
other WTO members on their new SPS measures from the
WTO secretariat and passes these on to interested parties in
New Zealand.
Both the National Enquiry Point and the National Notifcation
Authority are located in the Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry in New Zealand.
thelifeorhealthoftheirpeople,animalsandplants.
Transparencyisimportanttobothimportingand
exportingcountries.Wheneveragovernment
isproposinganewSPSregulationormodifying
anexistingonethatdifersfromaninternational
standardandmayafecttrade,itmustnotify
theWTOSecretariat,whichthencirculatesthe
notifcationtoallotherWTOmembergovernments.
TisprocessalsoallowsotherWTOmembersto
submitcommentsontheseSPSproposals.Te
systematiccommunicationofinformationand
exchangeofexperiencesamongtheWTOmembers
providesamoretransparentbasisfornational
standards,andinmanycasesmakesharmonisation
ofSPSmeasureseasier.Italsomeansthatmany
potentialconfictsareresolvedinformallybetween
countries,ratherthanthroughformalprocesses
undertheSPSAgreement.
9
Frecaution in risk anaIysis
Inriskanalysis,theconfdencethatcanbeplaced
inpredictionsdependsontheamountand
reliabilityoftheinformationused.Terewillnever
beperfectunderstandingofeverysituationthat
exists.Abalancemustbesoughtbetweentrying
toacquirecompleteknowledgeandobtaining
reasonableestimatesonwhichpredictionscanbe
basedwithanacceptabledegreeofconfdence.
Recognisingthattherearecertainsituationswhere
itisnotpossibletocompleteariskanalysis,theSPS
Agreementprovidesguidanceonusingprecaution
inmanagingriskstofoodsafety,orhuman,animal
orplantlifeorhealth.Whenavailablescientifc
informationidentifesacrediblethreattofood
safetyoranimalorplantlifeorhealth,butthere
isinsufcientinformationtocompletearisk
analysis,aWTOmembermayprovisionallyadopt
SPSmeasuresonthebasisofavailablepertinent
information,includinginformationfromthe
relevantinternationalorganisationsaswellasfrom
SPSmeasuresappliedbyotherWTOmembers.
AferadoptingprovisionalSPSmeasures,WTO
membersarerequiredtoobtaintheadditional
informationnecessaryforamoreobjective
assessmentandtoreviewtheSPSmeasure
accordinglywithinareasonableperiodoftime.
PrecautionisanintegralpartofNewZealands
approachtoassessingandmanagingrisks.
kegionaIisation: ensuring neasures are
onIy appIied where specicaIIy needed
Diferencesinclimate,pestordiseasestatus,or
conditionsforfoodsafetymeanthatitisnot
alwaysappropriatetoimposethesameSPS
measuresonproductscomingfromdiferent
countriesorevenfromdiferentareaswithinthe
samecountry.SoSPSmeasuresmayneedtobe
accuratelytargetedoradapted,dependingonthe
healthstatusofthecountryoforiginorcountry
ofdestinationortheareasorregionswithina
country.Tisisknownasregionalisation.
MembersarerequiredtoapplySPSmeasures
thatrecognisepestanddisease-freeregions
(orareaswithalowprevalenceofdiseasesor
pests),wherethesecanbedemonstrated.Te
onusisontheexportingcountrytoprovidethe
scientifcevidencetojustifyaclaimtobefree
fromaparticularpestordisease.Regionalisation,
thereforecanbeneftproducersifapestordisease
occursonlyinonepartofacountry.Forexample,
whenasingleMediterraneanfruitfywasfound
inAucklandin1996,otherpartsofNewZealand
wereabletocontinueexportingfruitbecausethe
incursionwasconfnedtoasmallregioninthe
upperNorthIsland.
Acloselyrelatedconceptrecentlyintroducedin
theanimalhealthfeldiscompartmentalisation.
Whereasregionalisationdependsongeographic
barrierstodefnetheregionofsuperiorheath
status,incompartmentalisation,thebarriers
arecommonbiosecuritypracticeswhich
separatecertainanimalpopulationsfromthose
oflesserhealthstatus.Tefrstapplicationof
compartmentalisationinternationallyhasbeen
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insituationswherethehealthstatusofmodern,
commercialpoultryindustrieshasbeenprotected
throughstringentbiosecurityprogrammesfrom
diseases,suchasavianinfuenza,whichmay
bepresentinbackyardpoultryandwildbird
populationsinthesamegeographicregion.
quivaIence: focus on outcones
rather than process
UndertheSPSAgreementsprovisionson
equivalence,WTOmembersmustaccepttheSPS
measuresofotherWTOmembersasequivalent,
wherethiscanbeobjectivelydemonstrated,even
whenmeasuresdiferfromtheirown.When
tradinginthesameproduct,solongasthey
achievethesamelevelofprotection,thereis
fexibilityinhowthatoutcomecanbeachieved.
Equivalenceallowsexporterstoadoptdiferent
waysofreachingtherequiredlevelofprotection.
xpIaining and reviewing 8F8 neasures:
where neasures are chaIIenged
WhathappensifaWTOmembercountryisnot
satisfedthatanSPSmeasureimposedonits
exportsbyanotherWTOmemberiswarranted?
WTOmembersmayintroduceSPSmeasuresthat
aremorestringentthaninternationalstandards
ifthereisscientifcjustifcationtodoso,andif
theydetermineahigherlevelofprotectionis
appropriateinaccordancewiththeSPSAgreement.
WTOmemberscanchallengeaproposed
SPSmeasureiftheyhavereasontobelieve
thatthemeasurecouldunjustifablyconstrain
theirexports,andthemeasureisnotbasedon
relevantinternationalstandards,guidelinesor
recommendations.Tefrststepistoaskwhythe
measurehasbeenimposed.Teexplanationshould
showhowtheSPSmeasureisjustifedusingthe
provisionsoftheSPSAgreement.
Inparticular,itshouldshowthatitis:
appliedonlytotheextentnecessarytoprotect
againstidentifedrisks;
basedonscientifcprinciplesandevidence;
notusedtodiscriminateagainstimportedgoods
infavourofdomesticallyproducedones;
consistentwiththemembersappropriatelevel
ofprotection;
asleasttraderestrictiveaspossible;and
generallyappliedconsistentlywiththeSPS
Agreement.
Ifameasuredoesnotmeetthesecriteria,the
countryapplyingitmayberequiredtoreview
itandadjustittomakeitconformtotheSPS
Agreement.
0ispute resoIution
Ifadisputeremainsunresolvedaferattemptsto
resolveitbilaterally,itcanberaisedformallyinthe
SPSCommitteeoftheWTO.Tegoodofces
provisionsenablethechairoftheSPSCommittee
tomediatethroughadhocconsultations.

Equivalence in action
New Zealands meat and seafood industries have traditionally
borne heavy costs in meeting the inspection requirements
of overseas countries. The technical justifcation for these
has sometimes been doubtful, and the effects have been
to increase regulatory and other costs associated with
maintaining market access.
Scientifc research and risk analysis has enabled a marked
reduction in the human resources needed for routine
inspection of meat and seafood. This has increased processing
options, reduced wastage, and improved the integration of
public and animal health activities. The net result has been
savings to the food industry, and ultimately consumers, of
millions of dollars a year, while maintaining and enhancing
standards of food safety.
Equivalencehasthepotentialtosaveexporters
millionsofdollarsperyear,byallowingthemto
determinethemostcost-efectiveandefcient
waytofulflltheagreedhealthrequirementsofthe
importingcountry.
11
Ifthereisstillnomutuallyagreeablesolution,
theaggrievedWTOmembercanstartformal
WTOdisputesettlementprocedures.First,
consultations(formaldiscussions)take
place.Ifthesedonotleadtoamutually
acceptablesolutionthen,attherequestofthe
aggrievedcountry,apanelofqualifedpeople
isestablished.IfthepanelfndsthattheSPS
measureunderdisputeisinconsistentwith
theSPSAgreement,itcanrecommendthat
theWTOmemberbringthemeasureinto
conformitywiththeSPSAgreement.
Paneldecisionscanbeappealedonpointsoflaw.
TeappealsareheardbyastandingAppellate
BodyestablishedbytheWTO.Tedecisionof
theAppellateBodyisbinding.
Tedisputesettlementunderstanding
emphasisesthatpromptcompliancewith
(disputesettlement)recommendations
orrulings...isessentialtoensureefective
resolutionofdisputestothebeneftofall
members.Tereareproceduresforretaliation
oftrademeasuresorcompensationiftheWTO
memberlosingitscasedoesnotcomplywith
adisputesettlementruling,butthesearealast
resort.
ManycomplaintsinvolvingSPS-relatedmatters
areformallyraisedintheSPSCommittee.
Examplesare:proceduresforinspectingfresh
fruits,regulationsfortheshelf-lifeofprocessed
meatproducts,abanontheuseofgrowth-
enhancinghormonesinmeatproduction,
andrestrictionsonmethodsforprocessing
poultry.PanelsestablishedbytheWTODispute
SettlementBody,however,haveheardonlyfve
issuesthathavebeenarguedprimarilyonSPS
grounds.Teseinvolvedtheentryofsalmonto
Australia,beeffromhormone-treatedcattleinto
theEU,certainvarietiesofplantsintoJapan,
applesintoJapan,andmarketingofproductsof
biotechnologyintheEuropeanUnion.In2007,
acaseinvolvingentryofNewZealandapplesto
Australiawasinitiated.
harnonisation and the standard setting bodies
Harmonisationmeansthatcountriesshould
basetheirSPSmeasuresonrelevantstandards,
guidelinesorrecommendationsdevelopedbythe
appropriateinternationalorganisationsidentifed
intheSPSAgreement.Tesearethestandard-
settingbodiesforfoodsafety,animalhealth
andzoonoses(diseasestransferredtohumans
fromanimals),andplantprotection.Tesethree
organisationsareknowncolloquiallyasthethree
sisters,andNewZealandbelongstoallofthem:
TeFAO/WHOCodexAlimentarius
Commission(Codex),responsibleforprotecting

The WTOs SPS Committee

The Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
(the SPS Committee) is made up of representatives of all
WTO members; there are also some observer countries and
organisations. It has a mandate to provide a regular forum
for consultations, and to do anything necessary to implement
the provisions of this Agreement and the furtherance of its
objectives.
The SPS Committee:
encourages ad hoc consultations or negotiations among
members on specifc SPS implementation issues;
facilitates training on specifc issues, especially for
developing countries and new members (for example,
transparency, and risk analysis); and
maintains close contact with the relevant international
organisations (for example, the FAO/WHO Codex
Alimentarius Commission (Codex), the World Organisation
for Animal Health (OIE), and the relevant international and
regional organisations operating in the framework of the
International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
The SPS Committee does not set international standards:
these are handled by Codex, OIE and IPPC (see
Harmonisation and the three sisters).

WhAT I8 Th
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balance in trade 12
consumer health and facilitating fair practices in
food trade. Codex had 178 members in 2008.
Te World Organisation for Animal Health
(OIE), covering animal health and zoonoses.
Te OIE had 172 members in 2008.
Te framework of the FAO International
Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), covering
international and regional organisations,
responsible for plant health. Te IPPC had 170
members in 2008.
Harmonisation helps ensure a consistent approach
to addressing risks and can reduce costs when
members follow standards that have been agreed
internationally rather then having to undertake
specifc risk assessments.
Harmonisation does not restrict a countrys ability
to select and implement any SPS measures it sees
as necessary to protect its human, animal or plant
health.
A country is free to deviate from an international
standard, guideline or recommendation and
introduce an SPS measure that will give a higher
level of protection, provided that there is scientifc
justifcation, or a risk assessment is undertaken
that shows a higher standard is necessary to meet
the members appropriate level of protection.
WTO members are encouraged to play a full part
in the standard-setting organisations. In doing
so, countries have the opportunity to infuence
the way standards are set, and help ensure that
international standards take account of their
circumstances.

Biosafety Protocol
a United Nations agreement
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, concluded in January 2000
under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, aims
to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by
transboundary movement of living modifed organisms (LMOs)
resulting from modern biotechnology.
The Biosafety Protocol sets out procedures for advance informed
agreement for the intentional transboundary movement of LMOs
that are likely to have adverse effects on the conservation and
sustainable use of biological diversity. The Biosafety Protocol
came into force on II September 2003. New Zealand ratifed the
Biosafety Protocol in 2005.
Wider linkages
Te SPS Agreement focuses on managing the trade
of goods. Tere are however, other international
organisations and agreements that New Zealand
is active in that are relevant to the movement of a
variety of organisms (including pests) particularly
where they afect the environment. For example,
the United Nations Convention on Biological
Diversity has a work programme that considers
the impact of invasive alien species on biodiversity.
Similarly, the International Maritime Organization
has work programmes to manage the transfer
of aquatic invasive species on ships. Another
international agreement, the Biosafety Protocol
to the United Nations Convention on Biological
Diversity, governs the international movement
of living (genetically) modifed organisms. In
each of these cases, there are potential overlaps
with the operation of the SPS Agreement. Care is
taken to ensure that the work undertaken in these
other organisations and agreements supports the
operation of the SPS Agreement and that there is
consistency between all of these agreements.
the SPS Agreement
Ah0 hW ZALAh0 2
Eversincetheinventionofrefrigeratedshipping
lateinthe19thcentury,tradeinanimaland
plantproductshasunderpinnedNewZealands
economy.Butitisaninescapablefactthattrading
inanimals,plantsandtheirproductsposesarisk
ofintroducinganypests,diseasesorhazardsthey
maysometimescarry.Protectingthelifeandhealth
ofNewZealanders,andournativeandintroduced
animalsandplantsisakeygoaloftheNewZealand
government.NewZealandsbiosecurityandfood
safetyactivitiesalsodirectlysupportourexport
industries,whosecontinuedaccesstooverseas
marketsdependsontheirproductscontinuingto
meetthestandardsofimportingcountries.
The biosecurity interest: protecting
hew ZeaIands econony, environnent
and peopIe
Biosecurityorbiologicalsecurityrefers
tomeasurestokeepout,remove,orefectively
managetheharmthatpestsordiseasescandoto
NewZealandseconomy,environmentorpeople.
NewZealandhasaworld-leadingbiosecurity
systemthatdoesthisby:
preventingharmfulorganismsfromcrossing
NewZealandsbordersandestablishinghere
while,atthesametime,ensuringtradeand
tourismaremaintained;
reducingtheharmcausedbyorganismsalready
establishedinNewZealand;and
supportingNewZealandersbeinginformedand
involvedparticipantsinthebiosecuritysystem.
Inthelastffeenyears,thebiosecuritysystem
hasevolvedfromastrongfocusonprotecting
primaryproductiontoabroaderfocusthat
includesprotectingnativeandvaluedintroduced
foraandfauna(includingmarineandfreshwater
biodiversity),andhumanhealth.Tisbeganwhen
parliamentpassedtheBiosecurityAct1993,that
takesaccountofthenatureandefectofintroduced

organismsonpeople,plantsandanimals,andthe
NewZealandeconomy.
Testrategicdirectionandstrategiesfor
biosecurityaimtoimproveleadership,consistency
andperformanceacrossthewholebiosecurity
programmetowardafuturestatewhereby:
New Zealanders, our unique
natural resources, our plants
and animals are all kept safe and
secure from damaging pests and
diseases
1

Bordercontrolswillremainacriticalpartof
maintainingbiosecurityasmoretouristsarriveand
moregoodsareimported,increasingtheriskthat
harmfulorganismsenterNewZealandandestablish
themselveshere.Climatechangemayalsoextend
thehostrangeofpestsanddiseasesthatneedto
bemanaged.TeSPSAgreementwillcontinueto
guidehowNewZealandsetsstandardsandmakes
decisionsrelatedtobiosecurity.Inparticular,it
willbeimportanttomaintainthestandardsof
transparencyandscientifcrigourrequiredbythe
SPSAgreement,andtomakedecisionsasquickly
aspossible.Tiswillencourageothercountriesto
complywiththerulesoftheSPSAgreement,and
alsodemonstratethatNewZealandsstrictcontrols
arejustifedtocountriesthatchallengethem.
1 Tiakina Aotearoa Protect New Zealand The Biosecurity Strategy for New Zealand (2003).
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8ALAh0 Ih TkA0 14
The consuner interest: food safety
Worldfoodproductionandconsumptionpractices
arerapidlychanging.NewZealandneedsafood
regulatoryprogrammethatisrisk-basedandthat
protectsconsumersoffoodandrelatedproducts
producedinNewZealand,aswellasimportsand
exportsoffoodproducts.Techallengesinclude:
emergingcausesoffood-bornedisease;
changingtechnologiesforproductionand
processing;
increasingcomplexitieswithinthefoodchain;
theever-increasingvolumeofinternationalfood
trade;and
changingconsumerhabitsandchoices.
NewZealandhasrespondedtothesechallenges
withachangeinapproachtoregulating
primaryproduction.Tetraditionalcommand
andcontrolregime,basedonprescriptive
requirements,isbeingreplacedbyarisk-based
approachaimedatensuringthatproductsare
ftforpurpose.Tismeansthatindustriesare
takingmoreresponsibilityformeetingoutcomes
describedinfoodsafetystandardsthroughthe
useofrisk-basedmanagementplansthatare
independentlyaudited.

The econonic interest: faciIitating

exports
Asasmallcountrytradinginglobalmarkets,
NewZealandgainsmuchfromtheWTOtrading
systembecauseitistransparentandbasedon
objectiverules.IntheWTO,eventhesmallest
memberstateshavethesamerightsasthe
heavyweightsofinternationalafairsandtrade.
Exceptforsheepmeatanddairyproducts,
NewZealandisasmallplayerinworldtradeterms.
Butinmanyofourmarkets,farmerandgrower
lobbiesandpoliticiansareopposedtoimports
fromNewZealand,despitegoodconsumer
demand.Restrictionsthatarenotgenuinely
requiredforbiosecurityorfoodsafetyreasonscan
beveryefectivedevicestoprotectlocalindustries
fromexportcompetition.Teyaredifcultto
challengebecauseoftheircomplexityandlack
oftransparencyabouthowadecisionhasbeen
reached.TeSPSAgreementenablesNewZealand
tochallengeattemptsbyothercountriesto
erectunjustifedtradebarriers.PriortotheSPS
Agreement,SPSmeasuresafectingtradecould
beimposedwithlittleaccountability.ButtheSPS
Agreementmeansthatmembersarenowrequired
tojustifyscientifcallytheSPSmeasuresthey
impose.
TeSPSAgreementhelpsNewZealandexporters
toachieve:
8etter narket access
TeSPSAgreementismakingiteasierfor
NewZealanderstoselltheirprimaryproduce
onworldmarkets,becausethesignatorieshave
undertakentoscientifcallyjustifytheSPS
measurestheyimpose.Temeasuresimposed
muststanduptointernationalscrutiny.
Lower conpIiance costs
NewZealandhasanexcellentreputationfor
meetingtherequirementsofimportingcountries,
15
butthishasofencomeatahighcost.Stringent
inspectionrequirementsformeatproducts
imposedinthepastbyoverseasmarketsareprime
examples.ComplyingwithunnecessarilyrigidSPS
requirementscanmarginaliseanotherwiseviable
exportoperation.Asunjustifedrequirements
arestrippedaway,thesecostswillbereduced.
Standardswillbeincreasinglybroughtintoline
withinternationalones,makingcostlyspecial
productionrunsforindividualmarketsless
necessary.Teconceptofequivalenceenables
exporterstomeetthesafetyoutcomesrequiredby
importingcountriesincost-efectiveways.
hew narkets
TeSPSAgreementopensupmarketspreviously
closedtoNewZealandexporters,asgovernments
bringtheirtradepracticesintolinewiththerules
oftheSPSAgreement.
0ertainty
TeSPSAgreementprovidesexportindustrieswith
theconfdencetoplanahead.Newmeasuresare
signalledinadvance,andtheirreasonsexplained.
WTOmemberscannolongerjustifyimposing
arbitraryandunexpectedimportrestrictionswith
thepotentialtocrippleanexportindustry.
0n baIance
TeSPSAgreementmeansthatNewZealand
isnowlessatriskfromthedangerofother
countriesunilaterallyimposingbarriersagainstour
exportsdisguisedasSPSrules.Intheabsenceof
amultilateralagreementliketheSPSAgreement,
NewZealandwouldneedtodevotemoreresources
tonegotiatingalargenumberofbilateraltrade
agreementswithindividualcountries.Tiswould
placeanenormousstrainonresourcesandimpose
signifcantcostsonexportersandtheGovernment.
TeSPSAgreementhasalreadybroughtbenefts
toNewZealand.Teexistenceofaformalrules-
basedagreementtogetherwithanemphasison
usingsciencetoestablishandchallengetrade
conditionshasmeantthatthereisnowmuchmore
transparencyabouttheintentofSPSmeasures.
Atthesametime,beingpartytotheSPS
Agreementhasnotafectedourabilitytoprotect
ournativeandintroducedfaunaandfora.By
signinguptotheSPSAgreement(andtheTBT
Agreement)NewZealandisabletowelcomethe
liberalisingofworldtradewithoutcompromising
ourhard-wonstatusasbeingfreefromthe
worldsmostseriouspestsanddiseases.TeSPS
Agreementsupportsourexporttradeinprimary
productsandourpursuitofthehighestlevelsof
foodsafety.
Further assistance a two way
process
Ifyouareanexporteryoumightencounter
unfairtraderestrictionsintheinternational
marketplace.Teproblemmaynotjustbecustoms
duties,butbarriersatorbehindtheborder,such
asdiscriminatoryproductstandards,labeling
requirements,unjustifedquarantinerestrictions
andothergovernmentregulationsorredtape.
TeSPSAgreementincludesmechanismsthrough
whichgovernmentsmayresolvediferences
overbarrierstotrade.MFAT,MAFandNZFSA
negotiatewithforeigngovernmenttradeofcials,
questioningandchallengingsuchbarriers.Te
mainaimistokeepdoorsopenbeforeresorting
toformaldisputesettlementprocedures.Any
NewZealandexporterencounteringsanitaryor
phytosanitaryrestrictionsthatappearunjustifed
shoulddiscussthemwithMFAT,MAForNZFSA
sothattheycanworktoremoveanyunjustifed
measures.
Th 8F8 A0kMhT
Ah0 hW ZALAh0
8ALAh0 Ih TkA0 16
0hALLh08 F0k Th FTk
3
Whiletherehavebeensuccessesandbeneftsfrom
theSPSAgreement,therearealsochallengesfor
thefuture.Tesechallengeswillfocusattentionon
theSPSAgreement,itsroleandcoverage,andits
efectivenessforWTOmembers.
0eveIoping countries and Ieast-
deveIoped countries
OneprovisionoftheSPSAgreementcommits
Memberstofacilitateprovidingtechnical
assistancetootherMembers,especiallydeveloping
countryMembers,eitherbilaterallyorthroughthe
appropriateinternationalorganisations.TeFAO,
OIEandWHOhaveconsiderableprogrammes
toassistdevelopingcountrieswithrespectto
foodsafety,andcapacitybuildingwithrespect
tothemaintenanceofanimalandplanthealth.
Variouscountriesalsohaveextensivebilateral
programmeswithotherWTOMembersinthese
areas.ByDecember2007,theWTOSecretariat
hadundertaken158SPStechnicalassistance
andtrainingactivitieswiththemainobjective
beingtoincreasetheawarenessofparticipants
aboutMembersrightsandobligationsunderthe
SPSAgreementandtheimplicationsoftheSPS
Agreementfornationalpolicymaking.
Tereisagrowinginterestfromdeveloping
countriesinstrengtheningnationalfoodcontrol
systems,reformulatingnationalfoodregulations
toalignthemwithinternationalstandards,and
establishingimport/exportfoodinspectionand
certifcationprogrammestoensurecompliance
withSPSandTBTrequirements.
TeStandardsandTradeDevelopmentFacilitywas
establishedasajointinitiativebetweentheWTO,
WHO,WorldBank,OIEandFAOin2002.Te
Facilityisaglobalprogrammeinbuildingcapacity
andtechnicalcooperation.Oneofitsstrategic
aimsistoassistdevelopingcountriesenhancetheir
expertiseandcapacitytoanalyseandtoimplement
internationalSPSstandards,whichinturnwould
improvetheirhuman,animalandplanthealth
situation,andtheirabilitytogainandmaintain
accesstomarketsfortheirproducts.
The pace of change
TeSPSAgreementwaspartofapackageof
agriculturalmeasuresincludedintheUruguay
Roundofmultilateralnegotiations(seeGlossary
formoredetail).OtherreformsfromthatRound
oftradetalksincludedthegradualstripping
awayofexportsubsidiesanddomesticprice
supportpoliciesbyWTOmemberssomething
NewZealandhadalreadylargelydonebythelate
1980s.Evenwhiletheinkwasstilldryingonthe
UruguayRoundnegotiations,itwasexpectedthat
thefullbeneftofthetradereformswouldtakeup
toadecadetofowthroughtotheNewZealand
farmgate.
ForNewZealandfarmersandgrowers,opening
upinternationalmarketaccesscannotcomesoon
enough.Teslowpaceofchangeisfrustrating,
butnotunexpected.Insomecountriesovernight
exposuretothefullblastofinternational
competitioncouldhavenegativesocialand
economicconsequencesfordomesticproducers.
WithintheWTO,themoredevelopednations
arehelpingdevelopingnationscomplywiththe
requirementsofmultilateralagreementssuchas
theSPSAgreement.
Despitetheapparentslowness,regulatoryagencies
aroundtheworldareincreasinglyconforming
withtheSPSAgreement.Internationalagreements
givingtradingpartnersimprovedmarketaccess
whilemaintainingacceptablelevelsofprotection
infoodsafetyandbiosecurity,arebecoming
increasinglycommon(www.mfat.govt.nz/trade-
and-economic-relations/trade-Agreements/index.php
providesmoreinformationonhowNewZealand
implementsthisinbilateral,regional,and
multilateraltradeagreements).
17
Ministry of AgricuIture and Forestry
TemissionoftheNewZealandMinistry
ofAgricultureandForestryistoenhance
NewZealandsnaturaladvantage.Itdoesthis
by:encouraginghigh-performingsectors;
developingsafeandfreertrade;ensuringhealthy
NewZealanders;andbyprotectingNewZealands
naturalresourcesforthebeneftoffuture
generations.
Forfurtherinformationorassistancecontact:
MAFBiosecurityNewZealand
POBox2526
Wellington6140
NewZealand
Tel:+6448940431
Fax:+6448940733
Email:info.biosecurity@maf.govt.nz
Internet:www.biosecurity.govt.nz/strategy-and-
consultation/strategy/international-agreements/sanitary-
and-phytosanitary-sps-agreement
hew ZeaIand Food 8afety Authority
TemandateoftheNewZealandFoodSafety
Authorityistoprotectconsumersbyprovidingan
efectivefoodregulatoryprogrammecoveringfood
producedandconsumedinNewZealandaswellas
importsandexportsoffoodproducts.
Forfurtherinformationorassistancecontact:
NewZealandFoodSafetyAuthority
POBox2835
Wellington6011
NewZealand
Tel:+6448942500
Fax:+6448942501
Email:nzfsa.info@nzfsa.govt.nz
Internet:www.nzfsa.govt.nz
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
TeMinistryofForeignAfairsandTrade
(MFAT)istheGovernmentsprincipaladviser
andnegotiatoronforeignandtradepolicy
issues.TeMinistryconductstheNewZealand
Governmentsbusinesswithforeigngovernments
andinternationalorganisations,includingthe
WorldTradeOrganization.
Forfurtherinformationorassistancecontact:
MinistryofForeignAfairsandTrade
PrivateBag18-901
Wellington6011
NewZealand
Tel:+6444398000
Fax:+6444729596
Email:enquiries@mfat.govt.nz
Internet:www.mfat.govt.nz
Websites
WorldTradeOrganization:www.wto.org
SPS-relatedissuesintheWTO:
www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm
FulltextoftheSPSAgreement:www.wto.org/english/
docs_e/legal_e/15sps_01_e.htm
MAFgatewaysitetoinformationonexportsand
importsofliveanimalsandgermplasm,plantsand
plantproducts,andforestproducts:
www.biosecurity.govt.nz
WorldOrganisationforAnimalHealth(OIE):
www.oie.int
InternationalPlantProtectionConvention(IPPC):
www.ippc.int
CodexAlimentariusCommission:
www.codexalimentarius.net
NewZealandCodexStrategy:
www.nzfsa.govt.nz/policy-law/codex/publications/nz-
objectives-and-strategy/index.htm
Tiakina Aotearoa Protect New Zealand Te
Biosecurity Strategy:
www.biosecurity.govt.nz/biosec/sys/strategy/biostrategy/
biostrategynz
00hTA0T8
00hTA0T8
8ALAh0 Ih TkA0 18
Appropriate IeveI of protection (AL0F) TelevelofprotectiondeemedappropriatebytheWTOmember
establishingasanitaryorphytosanitarymeasuretoprotecthuman,
animalorplantlifeorhealthwithinitsterritory.
8iosecurity Protectionfromtherisksposedbyorganismstotheeconomy,
environmentandpeopleshealththroughexclusion,eradicationand
control.
0odex AIinentarius 0onnission (0odex) Codexistheinternationallyrecognisedstandardssettingbodyfor
foodsafety.ItsfullnameistheJointFAO/WHOCodexAlimentarius
Commission.CodexAlimentariusisLatinforfoodcode.Codex
standards,recommendationsandguidelinesarerecognisedas
internationalstandardsforthepurposesoftrade.
quivaIence Teestablishment,recognitionandapplicationofcommonsanitary
andphytosanitarymeasuresbydiferentMembers.Equivalencerelates
tothesituationwhereSPSmeasureswhicharenotidenticalbutare
recognisedashavingthesamehealthoutcomeandareacceptedas
equivalentbyanotherWTOmember.
harnonisation WTOmembersshouldbasetheirSPSmeasuresonrelevant
internationalstandardsguidelinesorrecommendationswherethese
exist.Forinstanceharmonisationwithinternationalfoodsafety
standardsmeansbasingnationalrequirementsonstandardsdeveloped
byCodex.
InternationaI FIant Frotection 0onvention TeIPPCisaninternationaltreatytosecureactiontopreventthe
(IFF0) spreadandintroductionofpestsofplantsandplantproducts,andto
promoteappropriatemeasuresfortheircontrol.
Measures Measuresincludeallrelevantlaws,decrees,regulations,requirements
andproceduresandareusuallybased,wherepossible,oninternational
standardsundertheSPSAgreement.Teyarealsocommonlyreferred
toasstandards.
Fhytosanitary issues Healthissuesinvolvingthepestanddiseasestatusofplantsandplant
products.
8anitary issues Healthissuesinvolvingthepestanddiseasestatusofanimalsand
animalproducts,andhumanhealth.
Three sisters Acolloquialtermforthethreeinternationalstandard-settingbodies
forfoodsafety,animalhealthandzoonosesandplantprotection,whose
guidanceisrecognisedundertheSPSAgreement.TeJointFAO/WHO
CodexAlimentariusCommissionisresponsibleforfoodsafety.Animal
healthandzoonosesarecoveredbytheOIEandtheinternational
andregionalorganisationsoperatingundertheframeworkofthe
InternationalPlantProtectionConventionhaveresponsibilityforplant
healthandprotection.
0L088AkY
19
Transparency Teextenttowhichagreementsandgovernmentregulations
afectingtradeareopen,clearandmeasurable.Transparencyunder
theSPSAgreementhasthreemaincomponentsnotifcations,
ofcialenquiriesandthepublicationofregulations.
ruguay kound TeeighthroundofGATTmultilateraltradenegotiations,which
beganinPuntadelEste,Uruguay,in1986,andwasconcludedin
April1994atMarrakesh,Morocco.
WorId 0rganisation for AninaI heaIth (0I) TeOIE,until2004knownastheOfceInternationaldes
Epizooties,dealswithanimalhealthandzoonoses(human
diseasesthatarecaughtfromanimals),andsetssanitarystandards
fortheinternationaltradeofanimalsoranimalproducts.
WorId Trade 0rganization (WT0) TeinternationalorganisationestablishedbytheUruguayRound
tooverseeandprovideasingleadministrativeandlegalumbrella
foralloftheRoundsAgreements.
Zoonoses Diseasesthatcanbetransmittedfromanimalstohumans.
0L088AkY
balance in
TRADE
Understanding how the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement helps protect New Zealands
people, economy and envrionment while improving trade opportunities
Crown copyright Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Food Safety Authority 2009
ISBN 978-0-478-33880-5 (Print)
ISBN 978-0-478-33881-2 (Online)