The SPS Agreement also brings obligations. If we want the Agreement to work to our advantage in overseas markets, we must apply the same principles to items entering our domestic market. While we cannot afford to expose New Zealand's primary industries to undue risk, aspiring to zero risk would affectively mean closing New Zealand's borders to people as well as produce. This is unrealistic. MAF works to reduce risk by developing technically sound import conditions.
Risk analysis is the key to the process as a framework for standard setting.
A risk analysis only looks at the scientific justification for allowing or not allowing trade in each case. For a closer look at the SPS agreement and its affect on trade, media are invited to attend the seminar tomorrow. National Library Auditorium, corner Aitken and Molesworth Street, Wellington.