Feds support live animal exports
Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.
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.
With the current situation in the European farm machinery market being described as difficult at best, it’s perhaps no surprise that the upcoming AgriSIMA 2026 agricultural machinery exhibition, scheduled for February 2026 at Paris-Nord Villepinte, has been cancelled.
The Meat Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) has launched the first in-market activation of the refreshed Taste Pure Nature country-of-origin brand with an exclusive pop-up restaurant experience in Shanghai.
Jayna Wadsworth, daughter of the late New Zealand wicketkeeper Ken Wadsworth, has launched an auction of cricket memorabilia to raise funds for I Am Hope's youth mental health work.
As we move into the 2025/26 growing season, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that the third quarter results for the year to date is showing that the stagnated tractor market of the last 18 months is showing signs of recovery.
DairyNZ chair Tracy Brown is urging dairy farmers to participate in the 2026 Levy vote, to be held early next year.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) is calling for nominations for director roles in the Eastern North Island and Southern South Island electoral districts.

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