New Zealand and the European Union (EU) negotiated a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the latter part of 2022 and signed the FTA on 9 July 2023. The FTA created two Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) for select Sheepmeat and Goatmeat products originating in New Zealand. Ratification and implementation processes have been concluded by New Zealand and European Union Parliaments. New Zealand Meat Board (“Board”) has developed an allocation mechanism which will apply to the administration of the two EU FTA Sheepmeat and Goatmeat TRQs (Quota Allowance Allocation System (“Allocation System”)).

The Allocation System is established by the Board pursuant to its powers under the Meat Board Act 2004 (“Act”), in particular, Part 3.

On 19 September 2023, the Board agreed to an Allocation System for the two EU FTA Sheepmeat & Goatmeat TRQs (fresh/chilled and frozen), pursuant to section 23 of the Act. Under the agreed terms of the FTA and pursuant to section 24 of the Act the Allocation System specifies:

• The products to which it applies for the fresh/chilled quota
  • being fresh/chilled meat covered by the following CN codes: 0204 10 00; 0204 21 00; 0204 22 10; 0204 22 30; 0204 22 50; 0204 22 90; 0204 23 00; 0204 50 11; 0204 50 13; 0204 50 15; 0204 50 19; 0204 50 31; 0204 50 39; ex 0210 99 21 90 (only fresh / chilled) and ex 0210 99 29 90 (only fresh / chilled); the quantity of products to which it applies being pro-rata of 4,433 tonnes (carcase weight equivalent) in Year 1, increasing by 1,478 tonnes (carcase weight equivalent) annually until Year 6. For Year 6 and subsequent years the quantity will be 13,300 tonnes (carcase weight equivalent) for fresh/chilled product, and;
• The products to which it applies for the frozen quota;
  • being frozen meat covered by the following CN codes: 0204 30 00, 0204 41 00, 0204 42 10, 0204 42 30, 0204 42 50, 0204 42 90, 0204 43 10, 0204 43 90, 0204 50 51, 0204 50 53, 0204 50 55, 0204 50 59, 0204 50 71, 0204 50 79, ex 0210 99 2110 (only frozen) and ex 0210 99 2910 (only frozen); the quantity of products to which it applies being pro rata of 8,233 tonnes (carcase weight equivalent) in Year 1, increasing by 2,745 tonnes (carcase weight equivalent) annually until Year 6. For Year 6 and subsequent years the quantity will be 24,700 tonnes (carcase weight equivalent) for frozen product;
• The country or group of countries where the relevant quota market exists, being the European Union;
• The tariff rate applying to is 0% (duty free) for “in quota” imports;
• Other administration mechanisms.

The Allocation System will come into effect when the EU-NZ FTA enters into force on 1 May 2024.

A Quota Manual comprising the complete Allocation System for both TRQs is available at https://www.nzmeatboard.org/quotas/eu-fta-sheepmeat-and-goatmeat/quota-manual/ or by contacting info@nzmeatboard.org.

Dated at Wellington this 30th day of April 2024.

N. BEEBY, General Manager – Quota and Information, New Zealand Meat Board.