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Agreed Principles of Approval New Zealand Winegrowers’ Wine Standards Management Plan Code of Practice

In recognition of the legislative framework that governs grape winemaking in New Zealand, and without affecting any of the obligations under that framework, we agree to the following guiding principles with respect to the availability of, and future amendment and use of, the New Zealand Winegrowers’ Wine Standards Management Plan Code of Practice.

Principle 1

The Code of Practice will be freely available from New Zealand Winegrowers and accessible to all New Zealand grape winemakers and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority (“NZFSA”).

Principle 2

The approved Code of Practice is the New Zealand Winegrowers’ Wine Standards Management Plan Code of Practice, dated 12 December 2007. The Code is approved on the basis that the Chief Executive of the NZSFA considers that Code to be a valid and appropriate code of practice upon which to base a wine standards management plan under the Wine Act 2003. Any changes, updates, amendments or modifications to New Zealand Winegrowers’ Wine Standards Management Plan Code of Practice may affect its validity or appropriateness, and potentially its approved status. Accordingly it is agreed that changes, updates, amendments or modifications to the Code of Practice will be undertaken in discussion with NZFSA and may need to be approved by the Chief Executive of the NZFSA.

Principle 3

Amendments to the Code of Practice that are deemed to be minor will have no effect upon operators. Minor amendments include correcting typographical errors, correcting/updating references, updating guidance text or the pre-vintage checklist, and other changes that are inconsequential to winemaking, labelling or bottling practice or procedure.

Principle 4

Amendments to the Code of Practice that are deemed to be significant will require approval by the Chief Executive of the NZFSA. Operators will be notified of, and/or given access to, amended sections. Significant amendments include those that necessitate a change in winemaking, labelling, or bottling practice or procedure, a change in legal requirements or regulated limits, or a change in the records required to be kept.

Principle 5

The decision about whether an amendment is minor or significant will be jointly undertaken by the NZFSA and New Zealand Winegrowers. In the event that a consensus is not reached, the decision rests with the Chief Executive of the NZFSA.

Principle 6

In the event the Code of Practice undergoes significant amendment without the approval of the Chief Executive of the NZFSA, the changes will require independent evaluation by a person recognised under the Wine Act 2003 and registration of an amendment by each operator who uses the amended version.

Principle 7

The Code of Practice will be subject to version control.

Signed at Wellington this 12^th day of December 2007

SIGNED