G/SCM/N/284/NZL  
 
6 July 2015  
(15-3471)  Page: 1/4  
Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures  Original: English  
 
 SUBSIDIES 
NEW AND FULL NOTIFICATION PURSUANT TO ARTICLE XVI:1  
OF THE GATT 1994 AND ARTICLE 25 OF THE AGREEMENT  
ON SUBSIDIES AND COUNTERVAILING MEASURES 
NEW ZEALAND  
The following communication, dated 29 June 2015, is being circulated at the request of the 
Delegation of New Zealand. 
 
_______________ 
 
 
The following notification covers the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 financial years (FY) and has been prepared on the basis of the data su pplied by the delivery agencies.  
 
The information provided in this report is for transparency purposes in order to clarify the operation of programmes or measures. In accordance with Article 25.7 of the Agreement on 
Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM), notification does not in any way prejudge the legal 
status, nature or effects of government assi stance programmes under the ASCM and GATT 1994, 
including as to whether or not the programmes notified are specific within the meaning of 
the ASCM. 
 
All dollar amounts referred to in this notification are New Zealand dollars. G/SCM/N/284/NZL 
 
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  Environmental Certification Fund 
 1. Period covered by the notification 
 
FY 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. 
 2. Policy objective and/or purpose 
 To assist the seafood industry with the costs of seeking an independent environmental certification or assessment for their fisheries or aquaculture activities.  
3. Background and authority 
 
Decision made by the Minister of Fisheries 
 
4. Form of assistance 
 
Grant 
 5. To whom and how assistance is provided 
 
Any individual, organisation or group of organisations who are seeking independent environmental 
certification or assessment of a New Zealand aquaculture activity or fishery within the EEZ or high seas. 
 
Assistance is paid in instalments based on key milestones, depending on the estimate made by the applicants of the percentage of their certificat ion assessment fee incurred at each key milestone. 
 
6. Annual budget information 
 $6.9 million over 6 years ($1.15 million available annually in a contestable fund from 2008/09 – 
2012/13) 
 7. Duration 
 Fund open for applications 2008/09 – 2010/11. No lo nger available. Last year for new applications 
was 2010/11. Final year of contract payments 2014/15. 
 
8. Statistical data 
 N/A 
 
Primary Growth Partnership  
1. Period covered by the notification 
 
FY 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. 
 
2. Policy objective and/or purpose 
 The Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) is a government-industry partnership initiative (industry 
contributions must be at least equal to government funding) that will invest in significant 
programmes of research and innovation to boost productivity, economic growth and the sustainability of New Zealand's primary, forestry an d food sectors. The focus of the initiative is on 
boosting productivity through on-going investment in innovation. 
 The Primary Growth Partnership has also been no tified under Article 18:3 of the Agreement on 
Agriculture (G/AG/N/NZL/88). 
 G/SCM/N/284/NZL 
 
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  3. Background and authority 
 
New Zealand Cabinet approved the Primary Growth Partnership on 18 May 2009 [CAB MIN (09) 17/11). The programme is administ ered by the Ministry for Primary Industries. 
 
4. Form of assistance 
 
Grant for a maximum of 50% of eligible costs. 
 5. To whom and how assistance is provided 
 
Companies or consortia from the primary, forestry  and food sector industries are eligible to 
participate in the Primary Growth Partnership. More specifically, industries included are: 
 
 pastoral (including dairy, meat and wool) and arable production;  
 horticulture;  
 seafood (including aquaculture);  
 forestry and wood products; and  
 food processing (including nutriceuticals and bioactives). 
Each programme is a joint investment between the government and industry. Qualifying 
contributions by the co-investors must be equal to or greater than the government Primary Growth 
Partnership funding.  
6. Annual budget information 
 
FY 2012/2013: $36,728,513 
FY 2013/2014: $41,995,166 
 7. Duration 
 
There is no fixed duration for the programme. 
 8. Statistical data 
 N/A 
 
New Zealand Aluminium Smelters incentive  
1. Period covered by the notification 
 
FY2013/2014. 
 
2. Policy objective and/or purpose 
 To help secure agreement on a revised cont ract between New Zealan d Aluminium Smelters 
(NZAS) and Meridian Energy, because of the importance of the smelter to the stability of the 
New Zealand electricity market, and to provides medium term certainty for Southland and New Zealand. 
 
3. Background and authority 
 
Public Finance Act 1989. 
 4. Form of assistance 
 
One-off cash payment. G/SCM/N/284/NZL 
 
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  5. To whom and how assistance is provided 
 
New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited. One-off fixed payment.  
6. Annual budget information 
 
$30 million (one-off) 
 
7. Duration 
 One-off (8 August 2013). 
 
8. Statistical data  
 
N/A 
 
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