The arrangement, signed by officials from the Philippines Food and Drug Administration and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, builds on the principles of the Asean-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, said the Kiwi food safety minister.
“Signing of the food safety arrangement demonstrates our interest in growing trade and our commitment to deepening the excellent relationship between our countries,” said Jo Goodhew.
New Zealand’s ambassador to Manila, David Strachan, said business would benefit from the agreement, adding: “The arrangement would facilitate greater engagement between our agencies with responsibility for food safety through increased engagement between experts, information sharing and cooperation in areas of best practice.”
The pact aims to promote the free flow of information on food safety policy and standards between the two countries while recognising of the equivalence of measures they adopt. It also contains academic elements to boost co-operation and sets out testing systems for exports between the Philippines and New Zealand.
Moreover, the countries have agreed to establish an action plan outlining joint work programmes on the basis of the cooperation.
According to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, the Philippines is one New Zealand’s five main export markets for dairy products, and represent about 15% of overall goods trade.
The AANZFTA free-trade agreement entered into force for trade between New Zealand and the Philippines in 2010 and by the end of this decade more than 99% of New Zealand’s trade to the Philippines will be duty-free.