Monday 11 September 2006 Media Statement

Trans Pacific trading partners talk environment

Officials from Brunei, Chile, Singapore and New Zealand will meet tomorrow for the first time under the Trans-Pacific free trade agreement to identify areas of environmental concern and exchange ideas for improvement.

The four countries signed this Environment Cooperation Agreement in July 2005 as part of the Trans-Pacific (P4) trade agreement.

The Ministry for the Environment is hosting this week’s meeting in Wellington which will include talks about co-operation on environmental matters, and sharing environmental knowledge and skills.

Ministry for the Environment Chief Executive, Hugh Logan sees this inaugural meeting as a valuable opportunity to work with Pacific neighbours on environmental matters important to all New Zealanders.

“Maintaining high standards for environment protection is important in its own right and a key part of economic prosperity,” Hugh Logan said.

‘This meeting enables New Zealand to identify areas where we can benefit from the environmental experience of our trade partners and also offer our expertise.”

Topics to be covered include environmental impact assessments, sustainable tourism, wastewater and air quality issues.

Following the meeting, officials will travel to Rotorua where they will meet with Environment Bay of Plenty staff to discuss regional resource management. The visit to Rotorua will also provide the group with an opportunity to gain a feeling for New Zealand’s natural environment.

ENDS

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