Trade cooperation between the European Union and Mexico incorporates new commitments related to animal health and welfare. The agreement also addresses antimicrobial resistance from a “One Health” perspective.
The European Union and Mexico have included in their new Interim Trade Agreement a commitment to cooperate in reducing the use of antimicrobials in animal production and to prohibit their use as growth promoters.
The text dedicates an entire chapter to cooperation on animal welfare and antimicrobial resistance. Its aim is to establish a framework for dialogue to improve animal protection, reach a common understanding of applicable regulations, and strengthen the fight against resistance.
The agreement expressly recognizes that “animals are sentient beings” and includes the commitment of both parties to improve the application of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) animal welfare standards.
Reduction of antimicrobials in animal production
The European Union and Mexico acknowledge in the document that “antimicrobial resistance constitutes a serious threat to human and animal health.”
The agreement warns that the misuse of these medicines in animal production, “particularly non-therapeutic use”, can contribute to the emergence of resistance and pose a risk to both people and animals.
Given the transnational nature of this threat, the parties consider it necessary to apply the “One Health” approach. In this regard, they commit to cooperating “to reduce the use of antimicrobials in animal production and to prohibit their use as growth promoters.”
The aim of these actions will be to combat antimicrobial resistance in a manner consistent with an approach that combines policies developed in different sectors to improve public health outcomes.
The collaboration will also include the development and implementation of guidelines, standards, recommendations, and measures developed by relevant international organizations. It will also encompass national initiatives and plans aimed at promoting the prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry and veterinary practices.
Animal welfare and research
Regarding animal welfare, the parties recognize the value of the standards developed by WOAH and commit to striving to improve their implementation. However, each party retains the right to determine the level of its own measures, which must be based on scientific data and the standards of the international organization.
The European Union and Mexico will also seek to cooperate in international forums to promote the development and application of good animal welfare practices.
The agreement also recognizes “the value of greater collaboration in research in the field of animal welfare.”
To develop these commitments, a Working Group on Animal Welfare and Antimicrobial Resistance will be created. This body will facilitate the exchange of information, expertise, and experiences, and will be able to invite experts to participate in specific activities.
The group will share information with the Subcommittee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures when necessary.
Cooperation in the face of animal diseases
The Interim Trade Agreement also includes a chapter dedicated to sanitary and phytosanitary measures that may directly or indirectly affect trade between both parties.
The regulation seeks to protect the life and health of people, animals and plants, while also aiming to prevent these measures from creating unnecessary trade barriers.
Actions must be based on scientific principles and comply with relevant international standards, guidelines, and recommendations. In the area of animal health, the agreement takes as a reference the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code and the WOAH Aquatic Animal Health Code.
The document recognizes the principle of zoning in the trade of animals, animal products, and animal by-products. The importing party must assess the animal health status of the exporting territory based on the evidence provided and the standards of the World Food Programme (WFP).
This system will allow trade measures to be adapted to regional conditions related to diseases, with the purpose of protecting animal health and avoiding unnecessary disruptions to trade.
Certificates and health controls
When a health certificate is required to import goods, it must be based on international standards from the Codex Alimentarius and the WOAH, among other reference organizations.
The exporting party must establish appropriate controls to ensure that its products meet the level of sanitary protection required by the importer. These measures may include risk-based on-site inspections.
The importing party may also audit the exporting party’s competent authorities and inspection systems. The nature and frequency of these audits must take into account the risk associated with the product, the history of controls carried out, and the information available.
If a shipment accompanied by a health certificate is rejected, the competent authority of the exporting party shall receive the relevant information, including the legal basis for the decision, the detailed laboratory results and the methods used.
The agreement establishes a free trade area between the European Union and Mexico and is of an interim nature. It will later be integrated into the Modernized Global Agreement and will cease to apply when the latter enters into force. Before it can be implemented, it must be approved by both parties in accordance with their respective internal procedures.
