Agreement in the form of an Exchange of Letters

on the amendments to the Annexes to the agreement between the European Community and New Zealand on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products

A. Letter from the European Community

Brussels, ...

Your Excellency,

With reference to the Agreement between the European Community and New Zealand on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products, I have the honour to propose to you to amend the Annexes of the Agreement as follows:

As recommended by the Joint Management Committee established under Article 16(1) of the Agreement, replace the texts of Annexes II (Part A), V and X of the Agreement with the respective texts of Annexes A, B and C as attached hereto.

I would be obliged if you would confirm the agreement of New Zealand to such amendment of the Annexes to the Agreement.

Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration.

Yours faithfully,

For the European Community

Robert J. Coleman

B. Letter from New Zealand

Brussels, ...

Dear Mr Coleman,

I have the honour to refer to your letter containing details of proposed amendments to Annexes II (Part A), V and X of the Agreement between the European Community and New Zealand on sanitary measures applicable to trade in live animals and animal products.

In this regard I have the honour to confirm the acceptability to New Zealand of the proposed amendments, as recommended by the Joint Management Committee established under Article 16(1) of the Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto.

Please accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

For the competent authority of New Zealand

Wade Armstrong

ANNEX A

"ANNEX II

PART A

New Zealand

Control in sanitary issues and veterinary affairs is shared between the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity Authority and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority. In this respect the following applies:

- in terms of exports of live animals and germplasm to the Community the Biosecurity Authority is responsible for certification (official assurances) attesting to the agreed veterinary standards and requirements;

- in terms of exports of all other animal products to the Community the New Zealand Food Safety Authority is responsible for certification (official assurances) attesting to the agreed veterinary standards and requirements;

- in terms of imports the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity Authority is responsible for animal health quarantine (zoo-sanitary) issues while the New Zealand Food Safety Authority is responsible for food safety (sanitary) and related standards and requirements."

ANNEX B

"ANNEX V

RECOGNITION OF SANITARY MEASURES

Glossary

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ANNEX C

"ANNEX X

CONTACT POINTS

For New Zealand

Counsellor (Veterinary and Technical) New Zealand Mission to the European Union Square De Meeus/De Meeusplein 1 B - 1000 Brussels Tel. (0032) 25 50 12 19 Fax (0032) 25 13 48 56

For the European Community

The Director Directorate E: Food Safety: plant health, animal health and welfare, international questions

Directorate-General Health and Consumer Protection

European Commission Rue Froissart/Froissartstraat 101, Room 8/58 B - 1040 Brussels Tel. (0032) 22 95 68 38 Fax (0032) 22 96 42 86".