MEMORANDUMOF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND WATER MANAGEMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA AND THE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF CUSTOMS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON COOPERATION OF PLANT QUARANTINE("Off. Herald of RS - Treaties", No. 10/2019) |
With a view of effectively preventing the entry and spread of pests and epidemic diseases of plants into the territory of the State of one of the signatories from the territory of the State of the other, protecting the production of agriculture, forestry and encouraged by the common will to promote and strengthen bilateral exchange and cooperation in the field of plant quarantine, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia and the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as "Signatories"), after consultation, have reached the following understanding:
Clause 1
1. The Signatories intend to strengthen and promote bilateral cooperation in the field of plant quarantine.
2. The activities under this Memorandum of understanding shall be in accordance with the respective laws and regulations of the State of each Signatory, without prejudice to the rights and obligations pursuant to international agreements signed by their States.
Clause 2
Content and Mode of Cooperation
Within the framework of this Memorandum of understanding, the Signatory’s commit to cooperate in the following areas:
1. Exchange of experience in implementation of the World Trade Organization Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (WTO/SPS Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures agreement) and cooperative information with relevant international organizations such International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
2. Communicate information about plant quarantine, laws, regulations, standards, other measures in the field of plant quarantine, a list of their quarantine pests, and also especial pest free areas to each other.
3. Exchange visit, technologies, expertise and conduct joint seminars and training courses in the field of plant quarantine.
4. Strengthen the communication among relevant agencies within the two countries and establish an information notification system.
5. Conduct collaborative research in the field of plant quarantine.
6. Establish an alert mechanism on plant quarantine，that timely notifies each other of the incidence/occurrence of plant pests and diseases within the territory of their States.
7. Make every effort to take appropriate measures to promptly resolve the emerging issues which affect the bilateral trade based on full consultation, assuring security both scientifically and reasonably, whereas not affecting the smooth trade.
Clause 3
1. Working groups may be set up under this Memorandum when mutually considered to be necessary by the Signatories.
2. These Working groups will be responsible for the specific exchanges and activities in the field of plant quarantine, including planning, implementation, monitoring and cooperation.
3. Timely meetings of the consultative mechanism or the Working groups shall be held as required to deal with the important matters arising from bilateral cooperation and to coordinate or resolve the inspection and quarantine issues of common concern or interest of any party promptly through dialogue and consultation. The date, place, procedure and agenda of the meeting shall be decided through mutual consultation.
4. The executing and coordinating agencies of this Memorandum of understanding shall be:
For the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia:
• Plant Protection Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia.
For the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China:
• The Department of Animal and Plant Quarantine under General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China.
Clause 4
All expenses made under this Memorandum are subject to the Signatories’ budget availability and to the laws governing the organization and structure of the Signatories as well as to the laws and regulations of each State.
Clause 5
Any question relating to the interpretation, implementation and/or application of this Memorandum of Understanding, will be solved through friendly consultation between the Signatories.
Clause 6
This Memorandum of understanding may be changed at any time by mutual written consent of the Signatories.
Clause 7
1. This Memorandum of understanding shall come into effect on the date its signature and shall be valid for a period of five years.
2. It shall be automatically extended for another period of five years unless any of the Signatories requests its cessation by notifying the other in writing six months prior to the date of expiration.
Signed in on, 2019, in duplicate, each in Serbian, Chinese and English, all texts being equally valid. In case of divergence in interpretation, the English text shall prevail.
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