Philippines, NZ sign food safety cooperation

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) signed a Food Safety Cooperation Arrangement earlier this week, which will strengthen cooperation in food safety between our countries and builds on the understandings reached in the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

The arrangement was signed by the Secretary of Health Janette Garin and New Zealand Ambassador David Strachan.

New Zealand’s Minister for Food Safety Jo Goodhew welcomed the arrangement. “Signing of the Food Safety Arrangement demonstrates our interest in growing trade and our commitment to deepening the excellent relationship between our countries,” she said.

 Strachan said “the arrangement would facilitate greater engagement between our agencies with responsibility for food safety through increased engagement between experts, information sharing and cooperation in areas of best practice. Over time our traders will benefit from this important work.”

The Ambassador added, “Signing this arrangement is an excellent way to start 2016, the year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Philippines.”