Farmland security
OPINION: Paranoia about foreigners is at an all-time high in the US and attention is now turning to foreign-owned farmland.
OPINION: The world is bracing for a trade war between the two biggest economies.
As the threat of tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China intensifies, New Zealand exporters watch nervously.
If the trade war were to trigger a recession in China, that would mean less buying power for Chinese consumers who love our milk, meat and fruit. And if the recession spreads to the EU and the Middle East, our other key markets, and reduced our export returns, that would present a major economic challenge to our country. This threat comes on top of the extra 10% tariffs slapped on NZ exports to the US.
How things play out remains to be seen. The only thing the NZ Government can do right now is to make their case to the US administration on why the 10% additional tariffs on goods imported from NZ should go. It's clear that President Trump is placing every country that exports to the US on notice - he wants a balance in trade.
For the dairy sector, the 10% tariffs are disappointing as the US already had far higher tariffs on dairy products it imported compared to the tariffs New Zealand charges.
For NZ dairy exporters, navigating a quite challenging global dairy trade environment is nothing new. For now, the dairy sector, like others, can wait and see how the tariffs saga plays out. Like other countries, NZ also points out that the US is a close and valued trading partner. Both countries have been closely aligned for decades in support for better global trade rules. A comprehensive free trade agreement has been on the table to eliminate the few remaining trade barriers between the two countries.
However, President Trump is no one's friend when it comes to trade.
Next month when Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay meets his US counterpart, he'll be putting NZ's case, arguing that trade between the two countries is balanced and the additional tariffs aren't necessary. Let's hope McClay succeeds where many global politicians have failed.
Two butcheries have claimed victory at the 100% New Zealand Bacon & Ham Awards for 2025.
A Taupiri farming company has been convicted and fined $52,500 in the Hamilton District Court for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent into the environment.
The Climate Change Commission’s 2025 emissions reduction monitoring report reveals steady progress on the reduction of New Zealand’s climate pollution.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
The Government’s directive for state farmer Landcorp Farming (trading as Pamu) to lifts its performance is yielding results.
The move to bring bovine TB testing in-house at Ospri officially started this month, as a team of 37 skilled and experienced technicians begin work with the disease eradication agency.
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