Potato growers eye innovation, growth
OPINION: As we look back on the past year, I am proud to reflect on the remarkable progress and achievements that have defined our success.
Moves by the NZ potato industry to have anti-dumping tariffs imposed on European imports could play into the hands of the EU, warns a long-time trade negotiator.
Charles Finny told Rural News that the Potatoes NZ (PNZ) stance is “remarkably similar” to the protectionist view held by European agricultural bodies in regard to NZ primary product exports to the EU.
Finny, a consultant with Wellington-based government relations firm Saunders Unsworth and an expert in international trade, says PNZ’s timing of its complaint is complicated by the fact NZ is currently trying to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) with the EU.
“I can’t imagine Fonterra, the meat or other horticultural industries will be overly delighted by Potatoes NZ’s timing,” he says.
“This move could annoy European negotiators and lead to a slowdown in the current EU FTA negotiations.”
Meanwhile, Finny says the process of gaining this kind of anti-dumping measure is not quick. “No one should anticipate an immediate response, as both domestic and international – including WTO – trade laws needed to be taken into consideration,” he explained.
Finny says there is also ministerial discretion, which means, even if a case is found against European potato imports, the Government can choose not to impose any tariff. He says it may decide on this option if any anti-dumping tariff may hurt the overall NZ/EU FTA process.
Federated Farmers is joining major industry-good bodies in not advocating for the Government to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…