Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues. 1. The Parties agree to strengthen cooperation on sanitary and phytosanitary ("SPS") issues within the framework of the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the World Organisation for Animal Health ("OIE") and the relevant international and regional organisations operating within the framework of the International Plant Protection Convention ("IPPC"). Such cooperation shall aim to enhance the mutual understanding of each other's SPS measures and to facilitate trade between the Parties, and may include:
(a) the sharing of information;
(b) applying import requirements to the entire territory of the other Party;
(c) carrying out verification of all or part of the other Party's authorities' inspection and certification systems in accordance with the relevant international standards of the Codex Alimentarius, OIE and IPPC on the assessment of such systems; and
(d) recognising pest-free and disease-free areas and areas of low pest or disease prevalence.
2. For that purpose, the Parties commit to making full use of existing instruments such as the Agreement between the European Community and New Zealand on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products, signed in Brussels on 17 December 1996, and to cooperate in an appropriate bilateral forum on other SPS issues not covered by that Agreement.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues. 1. The Parties shall cooperate on food safety and on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues to protect human, animal or plant life or health in the territory of the Parties.
2. The Parties shall discuss and exchange information on their respective measures as defined in the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission (Codex), such as legislation, rules and regulations, certification, inspection, and surveillance procedures, including the procedures to approve the establishment and implementation of zoning principles.
3. The Parties agree to undertake capacity-building cooperation on SPS issues and, where it is requested, on animal welfare.
4. The Parties shall establish a timely dialogue on SPS issues upon request of either Party to consider matters relating to SPS and other urgent related issues under this Article.
5. The Parties shall designate contact points for communication on matters under this Article.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues. 1. The Parties shall cooperate on food safety and on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) issues to protect human, animal or plant life or health in the territory of the Parties.
2. The Parties shall discuss and exchange information on their respective measures as defined in the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, entered into force with the establishment of the WTO on 1 January 1995, thus including standards of the International Plant Protection Convention, signed in Rome on 6 December 1951, the World Organisation for Animal Health and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
3. The Parties agree to undertake capacity-building cooperation on SPS matters. Such capacity‑building shall be specific to the needs of each Party and be conducted with the aim of assisting such Party in complying with the other Party's legal framework.
4. The Parties shall establish a timely dialogue on SPS issues at the request of either Party to consider matters relating to SPS and other urgent SPS-related issues.
5. The Parties shall designate contact points for communication on matters under this Article.
6. The Parties accord a high level of importance to this cooperation.
