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October 10, 2000


MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON CO-OPERATION IN AGRICULTURE AND RELATED FIELDS BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA

THE PHILIPPINES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE CANADIAN MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD, HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE "PARTIES,"

DESIRING to further enhance the existing friendly relations between the Republic of the Philippines and Canada through the development of co-operation in agriculture and related fields on the basis of the principles of equality, mutual benefit and mutual respect;

RECOGNIZING the importance of agriculture in national development;

BEING COGNIZANT of the need to undertake collaborative endeavors in agriculture and related fields to propel their respective economies up to a new level in the 21st Century;

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISION

The Parties will encourage scientific and technical co-operation in agriculture and related fields subject to the relevant laws and regulations of their respective countries.

ARTICLE II
AREAS OF CO-OPERATION

1. The scope of co-operation will initially be in the areas of quarantine and inspection systems, water management and engineering, and national/local government complementing programs in rural development, but may later include other related fields in agriculture, and may include activities such as:

1.1. Exchange of professionals, scientists, and technicians for study, observation, and training in agriculture and related fields;

1.2. Exchange of scientific and technical information on agriculture and related fields;

1.3. Collaborative studies on mutually agreed specific areas of co-operation;

1.4 Organization of workshops, symposia, training courses and exhibitions on subjects of mutual interests.

2. The Parties will encourage the involvement of concerned agencies, the academic, scientific and business communities, both in the public and private sectors of both countries to generate broad interest and increased activities.

ARTICLE III
JOINT COMMITTEE

To ensure the implementation of this Memorandum , the Parties will establish a Joint Committee composed of an equal number of representatives from both sides. A Liason Secretary from each Party will be designated to act as a contact point and to deal with work of the Joint Committee.

The Joint Committee may meet as needed.

ARTICLE IV
PROJECTS REVIEW, NEGOTIATION AND ARRANGEMENTS

The Department of Agriculture(DA) of the Philippines will submit specific project proposals under agreed areas of co-operation to the Canadian Food INspection Agency (CFIA), the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PERA), and the Canadian International Development Agency, etc., for further review, negotiation and arrangements.

Projects proposals will be negotiated and agreed on a project basis between the DA and the relevant Canadian entitty in separate agreements, and in accordance with the provisions of this Memorandum.

ARTICLE V
EXPENSES AND OTHER FORUMS OF ASSISTANCE

Unless alternative arrangements for external funding agreed upon by the DA and the relevant Canadian entity concerned, all costs including payroll costs, travel, accomodation and other directly related costs associated with projects or activities under taken will be subject to contractual arrangements negotiated between both groups.

Project costs contracted under collaboration with Canadian entities, e.g., CFIA, PFRA will be covered as stipulated in terms and conditions of projects-specific contractual agreements.

The DA and the relevant Canadian entity will endeavor to provide the necessary assitance to professionals, technician and trainees sent by the other group pursuant to this Memorandum to accomplish their mission. Each group will observe the laws and regulations in force in the host country.

The foregoing provision will not limit the right of either group to adopt or execute measures necessary to uphold public health, morals, public order or security.

ARTICLE VI
CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

The Parties will ensure that the scientific and technical data and information mutually provided, including the results of joint research carried out under this Memorandum, are not transferred or supplied to a Third Party without prior written consent of each Party subject to any relevant laws and regulations of their respective countries. In proposed cooperative activities where it is foreseeable that intellectual property rights issues might arise, the Parties in accordance with their national laws, will agree in advance as to the effective protection and allocation of those intellectual property rights.

ARTICLE VII
AMENDMENT

Either Party may request a revision or amendment of this Memorandum. Any revision or amendment will be in writing and agreed by each Party. This amendment or revision will enter into force in accordance with the provision on entry into force.

ARTICLE VIII
ENTRY INTO FORCE

This Memorandum will enter into force on the date of the later written notification by the Parties through diplomatic channels, indicating that the domestic requirements for its entry into force have been complied with.

ARTICLE IX
VALIDITY/TERMINATION

This Memorandum will be valid for a period of five years and will be automatically renewed for similar period(s) unless terminated by written notice from either Party to the agreement, six months prior to the intended date of termination. The termination of this Memorandum is without prejudice to the completion of ongoing projects.

ARTICLE X
BINDING LEGAL OBLIGATIONS

The Parties agree that nothing contained in this Memorandum is intended to create any binding legal obligations on either Party.

Signed in Banff, Canada, on this 10"' day of October 2000 in the English and French languages, each version being equally valid.

FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF
CANADA


(Sgd.)
(Sgd.)
HON. EDGARDO J. ANGARA
Secretary of Agriculture
HON. LYLE VANCLI
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada


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