Transparency data

11 April 2024: UK-New Zealand FTA Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures Sub-Committee – joint summary minutes

Published 5 December 2024

Relates to a meeting that took place on 11 April 2024, during the 2022 to 2024 Sunak Conservative government, and was published later.

The meeting of the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Sub-Committee under the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took place online and in person on 11 April 2024.

UK participants were from:

• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
• The Department for Business and Trade
• The British High Commission, Wellington

Participants from New Zealand were from:

• The Ministry for Primary Industries
• The New Zealand Embassy, Brussels

Participants had a fruitful exchange of views on matters related to implementation of the SPS Chapter of the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

1. Welcome and introductions

New Zealand opened the meeting with introductory remarks followed by the UK. This meeting marked the first formal meeting of the SPS Sub-Committee meeting under the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

The parties adopted the agenda, discussed the committee rules of procedure and confirmed the relevant competent authorities and contact points.

The parties agreed to finalise the Rules of Procedure and confirm as soon as possible in writing following the meeting.

The UK provided a presentation on its competent authority structure as it relates to SPS matters. New Zealand highlighted their structure, indicating that more detail could be provided if useful following the meeting. The UK also committed to share its presentation following the meeting.

2. UK–NZ Animal Welfare Working Group

The Animal Welfare Working Group was briefly discussed. The parties agreed to share the draft work programme with the SPS Sub-Committee for consideration and confirmation in writing.

3. Information exchange and priorities

Both parties updated on relevant domestic policy legislative developments, providing further information as required.

The UK provided a presentation on the Windsor Framework setting out how trade with Northern Ireland (NI) for certain commodities is managed under the Sanitary Agreement with the European Union (EU). Further details and contacts related to the Windsor Framework could be provided if useful.  

Defra noted the UK border target operating model (BTOM) had been discussed at the Sanitary Agreement meeting so would not be covered in this forum but that the rules applied to all SPS commodities. 

Both parties agreed to discuss and consider further the interface between the Windsor Framework, BTOM and the Sanitary Agreement.

New Zealand outlined changes that are underway to their organics system. It was recognised that although organics is a Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) matter, SPS commodities were subject to the rules.

New Zealand also explained work to refine all MPI trade certification into a single, integrated, digital trade certification system. That system would replace existing certification systems which had been built according to sector focus rather than a unified approach.

New Zealand would inform the UK on any further updates and developments in these areas.

4. Horizon scanning/International developments

Previous technical engagement between the UK and New Zealand on phytosanitary matters was discussed, along with the value in maintaining and enhancing that engagement. Both sides noted the value of continued engagement under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) and that continued bilateral engagement and cooperation on matters of mutual interest is beneficial for both sides.   

5. Trade priorities

Under this item New Zealand outlined their work on commodity standards both within New Zealand as well as in the IPPC. Both parties viewed commodity standards as an important trade facilitation tool, and continued support of this work was highlighted.

Other market access priorities for both parties were discussed including notifying and exchanging information on new and emerging pest risks and pre-agreeing conditions for trade in the event of a disease outbreak or pest incursion.  

Both parties agreed that the annual meetings between technical phytosanitary representatives should continue and would capture trade matters of mutual interest. Ad hoc engagement and communication on matters of mutual interest, where needed, would also be beneficial for both sides.

Previous engagement between both countries on electronic certification was highlighted, with continued interest in facilitating electronic certification and the aim of paperless certification noted. The UK updated on their work regarding an electronic certification system and highlighted they will be looking at how they roll out digital/electronic certificates going forward. New Zealand emphasised their interest in continuing to engage on this matter and opportunities for further technical engagement between the two countries was discussed.

6. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

The UK presented its new 5-year national action plan on AMR and highlighted it is committed to delivering an ambitious political declaration for the upcoming UNGA AMR High-Level Meeting in September 2024. The UK confirmed it is working with the Quad AMR network on the declaration to share perspectives and find areas of consensus. The AMR Quadripartite Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform (MSPP) was highlighted, and New Zealand were invited to join.

It was noted that New Zealand similarly regulates the veterinary profession and use of antibiotics, and New Zealand is one of the lowest antibiotic users in the world (for agricultural purposes).

Further discussion concerned the UN declaration and the UK committed to sharing the presentation given and the draft UN declaration.

7. International cooperation

New Zealand and the UK agreed to continue to utilise existing bilateral and international communication channels and engage, where mutually agreeable, in areas of cooperation and joint research of benefit to both sides.

8. Closing remarks

Both parties thanked each other for an informative meeting and looked forward to working together on SPS matters in the future.

The next meeting’s timing would be coordinated via respective secretariats, and although no intersessional meetings were anticipated, meetings on topics of mutual interest would likely take place ad hoc.