- Country or region
- New Zealand
- Trade topics
- Negotiations and agreements
The EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (‘FTA’) establishes a Trade Committee that will supervise the implementation of the FTA and the work of specialised committees and other bodies. Civil society organisations will have an active role in monitoring the implementation of the FTA.
Trade Committee
The main functions of the Trade Committee include considering ways to further enhance EU-New Zealand trade and investment, overseeing the attainment of the objectives of the FTA and how it is being implemented, considering proposals to amend the FTA, seeking appropriate ways to prevent or solve problems arising from the FTA (without prejudice to the dispute settlement framework) and communicating on matters related to the FTA with private sectors, social partners and civil cociety organisations.
The Trade Committee will be co-Chaired by the Member of the European Commission responsible for trade and the New Zealand Minister responsible for trade, or their respective designees. They will meet at least every year in person or virtually, as agreed by the EU and New Zealand. The Committee’s decisions and recommendations will be made by consensus.
Specialised Committees
The FTA establishes a number of Specialised Committees:
- Committee on Trade in Goods
- Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, also covering animal welfare
- Committee on Sustainable Food Systems
- Committee on Wine and Spirits
- Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development
- Committee on Investment, Services, Digital Trade, Government Procurement and Intellectual Property, including Geographical Indications (GIs)
- Joint Customs Cooperation Committee
These structures will provide guidance and input to the Trade Committee.
Monitoring of the EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
The FTA also provides for other interactions with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure the full implementation of the FTA and the ongoing monitoring of its impact.
Domestic Advisory Groups: the EU and New Zealand will each form a domestic advisory group within a year after the date of entry into force of the FTA. The domestic advisory groups shall advise on issues covered by the FTA and meet at least once a year. They shall include balanced representation of independent civil society organisations, including non-governmental organisations, business and employers’ organisations as well as trade unions active on economic, sustainable development, social, human rights, environmental and other matters. These civil society organisations will be able to voice their views and provide input to discussions on how the FTA is being implemented.
A Civil Society Forum will be established with membership of independent civil society organisations from the EU and New Zealand, including participants from the Domestic Advisory Groups. It will be a forum for dialogue on the implementation of the FTA. The Civil Society Forum shall endeavour to meet in conjunction with the meeting of the Trade Committee and there will be a dialogue between officials and civil society on issues related to the implementation of the FTA. Refer to the EU SME Guide for more information on the benefits of the EU-New Zealand FTA and guidance on doing business in New Zealand.
In the case of New Zealand, the Domestic Advisory Group and the Civil Society Forum shall include Māori representatives.
Refer to the EU SME Guide for more information on the benefits of the EU-New Zealand FTA and guidance on doing business in New Zealand.
