WELLINGTON, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay on Wednesday rejected a Dutch environmental group's claim that New Zealand breached climate commitments under its free trade agreement with the European Union.
The group, Both ENDS, has lodged a complaint with the European Commission, alleging New Zealand failed to meet commitments under the EU-New Zealand free trade agreement not to weaken environmental protections to promote trade or investment and to effectively implement the Paris Agreement, the global climate accord.
McClay said New Zealand was compliant with the agreement and always met its international obligations. "It's not for overseas countries, organizations or lobby groups to tell New Zealand how to meet its obligations," he added.
Both ENDS said the complaint was the first climate test of the EU's trade enforcement mechanism and could set a precedent. The group is seeking compliance rather than suspension of trade benefits, although the agreement allows for suspension at the end of a lengthy process, Radio New Zealand reported. ■
