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1.4.6. Trade and sustainability:
1.90. In Switzerland's view, trade must contribute to achieving the goals of sustainable development, as reflected in the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and the challenge of climate change in particular. In the WTO and other international organizations, Switzerland therefore actively advocates policies and rules that promote sustainable development and coherence between trade rules and relevant environmental, labour and social commitments.

1.91. Within the WTO, besides its active participation in the Committee on Trade and Environment, in November 2020 Switzerland joined two initiatives that complement multilateral efforts: the trade and environmental sustainability structured discussions (TESSD) and the informal dialogue on plastics pollution and environmentally sustainable plastics trade (IDP).

1.92. Switzerland participates actively in the negotiations on the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS). This initiative aims to demonstrate the mutual support and complementarity of trade and environmental policies. The initiative thus provides a systemic contribution to the debate on trade and environment, including within the WTO.

1.93. During the period under review, as mentioned above, all Switzerland's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with its European Free Trade Association (EFTA) partners include a chapter on trade and sustainable development. Dialogue is taking place with a number of partner countries on the implementation of the related commitments.

1.94. In October 2017, Switzerland ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change, which promotes, inter alia, the phasing out of fossil fuels. As such, Switzerland supports fossil fuel subsidy reform in the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform group. This group is committed to the phasing out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, in line with the G20 and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) statements.

1.95. Switzerland is a signatory to the Basel Convention, an amendment to which entered into force on 5 December 2019, prohibiting the transboundary movement of hazardous waste (destined for final storage, recovery or recycling) between OECD and non-OECD countries.

1.96. In January 2020, the Government adopted a revised Plan on Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility and a revised National Action Plan on the Implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. These plans aim to increase coherence between Switzerland's economic policy and the country's obligations to promote responsible business conduct and human rights. It also involves setting expectations towards Swiss based businesses and planning various awareness raising and training initiatives. This includes the promotion of due diligence in the responsible conduct of business following the UN Guiding Principles as well as the relevant OECD instruments for multinational enterprises.

1.97. During the period under review, Switzerland's economic policy has remained focused on maintaining and improving Switzerland's prosperity, while respecting the Sustainable Development Goals.

15. The authorities have continued to take actions with a view to further reinforcing New Zealand's biosecurity protection, including traceability obligations and food recall requirements. (...). Animal and plant products cannot be imported into New Zealand, unless an import health standard (IHS) has been developed to specify the biosecurity requirements that must be met by that product; 16 IHSs were drafted between 2015 and 2021. (...).

19. (...), growth in agricultural total factor productivity lags behind the OECD's average, and nearly half of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture; Government efforts are underway to address these issues. (...) government support to the sector is among the lowest within the OECD, with the main support measures focused on pest and disease control, knowledge and innovation systems, environmental programmes, and infrastructural services. (...). With a view to ensuring sustainability of its fish stock, New Zealand implements a quota management system. Foreign-flagged charter vessels fishing in New Zealand waters (within the 200-mile limit) are required to reflag as New Zealand ship.