Crazy
OPINION: Your canine crusader was truly impressed by the almost unanimous support given by politicians of all stripes in Parliament to the recent passing of legislation for the NZ/EU free trade deal.
Trade Minister Damien O'Connor is currently in Geneva for the World Trade Organisation (WTO) 12th Ministerial Conference.
The WTO has been in disarray for some time with some of the world's larger jurisdictions failing to abide by rules-based trading, which is one of the cornertsones of the organisation.
The problems for the WTO have been exacerbated by the Ukraine war, which has seen western delegated refusing to meet with Russian representatives.
The WTO is regarded by New Zealand as very important because it underpins some of our key trading agreements, in particular with the EU.
O'Connor says, as a trading nation at the bottom of the pacific, New Zealand strongly believes that the rules-based trade system and multilateralism are essential to finding long-term solutions to global problems. He says he'll be advocating for NZ values and interests at every turn.
While at the conference, O'Connor will meet with ministerial counterparts from other countries - especially the EU - to try and get some traction the current FTA negotiations, which appear to be in a hiatus.
"New Zealand is open for business and being able to meet counterparts in person at the WTO is essential for us to furher our strong trading relationships and ensure our voice is heard," he says.
New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming the Government’s commitment to continuing to push for Canada to honour its trade commitments.
An educational programme, set up by Beef + Land New Zealand, to connect farmers virtually with primary and intermediate school students has reported the successful completion of its second year.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has welcomed a resolution adopted by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to declare 2026 International Year of the Woman Farmer.
Waikato herd health veterinarian Katrina Roberts is the 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand has no intention of backing down in a trade dispute with Canada over dairy products.
Horticulture NZ chief executive Nadine Tunley will step down in August.
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