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Trade Links – Issue 6

INFO 466 June 2010

Welcome

Welcome to the first issue of the Trade Links newsletter for 2010 (and sixth issue overall) from the Ministry for the Environment's International Relations team. We have made some changes to the layout of the newsletter which we hope will improve your reading experience.

The purpose of Trade Links is to provide information about the Ministry's international trade and cooperation activities to those of you involved or interested in global environmental cooperation.

In this issue:

What’s hot

In March 2010 the first round of negotiations for an expanded Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement will be held in Melbourne. It is anticipated that the Agreement (currently between New Zealand, Brunei, Chile and Singapore) will be expanded to include four new members (Australia, Peru, the United States of America and Vietnam). The negotiations will include discussions on environment and trade cooperation.

Recent and upcoming cooperation

The Ministry is looking forward to an active year of cooperative activities with all our environment cooperation agreement partner countries. In each of our newsletters this year we will provide some information on forthcoming activities and report back on completed activities.

China and Chile

In February 2010, experts from China and Chile attended the ‘Island Invasives: Eradications and Management’ conference in Auckland hosted by the Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity (University of Auckland & Landcare Research). The workshop was held in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission (SSC) Invasive Species Specialist Group. Invasive species management involves eradicating, controlling, or preventing the establishment of invasive plants and animals that significantly and adversely affect native species and ecosystems, or have impact on the livelihoods and cultures of people.

A representative from the Chilean National Commission of the Environment and three representatives from the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences attended the Conference. Invasive species monitoring and management is a current priority area for cooperation under both the China Environment Cooperation Agreement and, with Chile, under the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (P4) Environment Cooperation Agreement. Attendance at the conference provided an excellent opportunity for the Chinese and Chilean representatives to meet with New Zealand experts and to progress future research collaborations.
Following on from the February conference, the Ministry will support two Chinese delegates to attend an invasive species workshop in Auckland in April 2010. The workshop ‘Helping Islands Adapt’ will focus on Regional Action to Combat Invasive Species on Islands to Preserve Biodiversity and Adapt to Climate Change.

Chile

Prior to the Conference, Landcare promoted a study tour of Fiordland Islands for an international delegation including a representative from Chile. The purpose of this tour was to provide the representatives with first-hand experience of eradication projects in remote, cold and wet locations.  Similar locations are also found in southern Chile. The Chilean representative made important contacts with experienced eradication and control practitioners from the Department of Conservation and Landcare Research. There is an ongoing commitment for collaboration and dialogue between New Zealand and Chilean practitioners on invasive species management projects of mutual interest and importance to our countries.

Thailand

In April 2010 a delegation from the Thai Department of Agriculture and Bangkok Port will visit New Zealand to look at fumigation systems and technology. The visit will focus on the use of alternatives and technologies to capture methyl bromide. Methyl bromide is an ozone depleting substance widely used as an industrial fumigant by international quarantine services. The use of methyl bromide is subject to restrictions under the Montreal Protocol. It is anticipated that the visit will provide an opportunity to share information and knowledge leading to a reduction in the use of methyl bromide in Thailand and New Zealand, resulting in positive environmental outcomes for both countries.

During May 2010, the Thai Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Environment is expected to visit New Zealand to learn more about Resource Management Act and how it is implemented.

Negotiations

The Governments of India and New Zealand have announced that in April 2010 the first round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) will be held. New Zealand will press for environment provisions to be included in the FTA.

The fourth round of negotiations for a New Zealand - Korea Free Trade Agreement will be held in the week commencing 22 March in Wellington. We have made good progress on negotiating an Environment Chapter but progress on some other chapters is slower.

New Zealand will continue to work with Bahrain and Oman to conclude Environment Cooperation Agreements in the context of the Gulf Cooperation Council – New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

Meetings

The third meeting of the Environment Committee between New Zealand and Thailand will be held in Wellington during March 2010. The meeting is held under the auspices of New Zealand Thailand Closer Economic Partnership Environment Arrangement. The Committee will review cooperation undertaken in 2009 and set priorities for the coming year. Achievements during 2009 include sharing information and experiences in areas such as climate change, water management and transport.

Current Environment Agreements

New Zealand’s free trade agreements include parallel arrangements for countries to work together on broader environmental matters.

These arrangements, in the form of Environmental Cooperation Agreements provide a platform for New Zealand to engage with our trade partners in ways that recognise the close connections between trade and the environment.

New Zealand currently has environment agreements or arrangements with:

Previous Issues

The first five issues of Trade Links included information about current trade negotiations, cooperation activities and international progress in this area. They also provided information on trade and environment and introduced the Ministry’s international team.

Contacting us

We welcome your comments and queries, and encourage you to pass this on to others with an interest in environmental cooperation activities.

To contact us please call 439 7572 or email: trade.environment@mfe.govt.nz

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