Agriculture key to NZ’s future, says PM Luxon
There is nothing more important to New Zealand than agriculture, says Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
 The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) says the conclusion of trade negotiations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and New Zealand is significant.
		  	
		  
		  		  
		  The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) says the conclusion of trade negotiations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and New Zealand is significant.
		  
		  
		  
	  New Zealand dairy processors are welcoming a new free trade deal with the country’s second largest market.
The Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) says the conclusion of trade negotiations between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and New Zealand is significant and follows on from the recent conclusion of trade negotiations between New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
DCANZ executive director Kimberly Crewther says New Zealand exported about $1.9 billion worth of dairy products to the GCC region in the last year.
“This makes the GCC region New Zealand’s second-largest dairy market after China.
“Locking in elimination of the already low tariffs on key dairy products into this highly valuable market provides important commercial certainty for dairy exporters," says Crewther.
DCANZ congratulates Trade Minister Todd McClay and New Zealand trade negotiators on the conclusion of these negotiations.
“With New Zealand and the GCC first launching FTA negotiations back in 2007, it is good to see negotiations finally concluded. New Zealand is also the first major dairy exporter to secure a free trade agreement with the GCC and we commend the Government for continuing to pursue this outcome,” says Crewther.
"We appreciate the Government’s commitment to a trade agenda that continues to deliver for exporters, including in regions where New Zealand does not have an existing free trade agreement footprint. We strongly encourage the Government to maintain momentum and ambition to bring down barriers with other negotiating partners, including upgrading existing trade agreements that have not yet secured dairy tariff elimination."
McClay says the trade deal follows significant reengagement with the GCC following meetings with GCC Ministers at the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Abu Dhabi in February of this year and delivers on an 18 year-long ambition for New Zealand to agree this high-quality trade deal in the Middle East.
“This is the highest quality deal the GCC has done to date and its first with a major agricultural exporter,” McClay said.
“It delivers duty free access for 99% of New Zealand’s exports over 10 years and when combined with our recently concluded NZ-UAE CEPA, 51% of our exports to the region will be tariff-free from day one.”
The Ashburton-based Carrfields Group continues to show commitment to future growth and in the agricultural sector with its latest investment, the recently acquired 'Spring Farm' adjacent to State Highway 1, Winslow, just south of Ashburton.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has blasted Fonterra farmers shareholders for approving the sale of iconic brands to a French company.
A major feature of the Ashburton A&P Show, to be held on October 31 and November 1, will be the annual trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial test match, with the best heading dogs from both sides of the Tasman going head-to-head in two teams of four.
Fewer bobby calves are heading to the works this season, as more dairy farmers recognise the value of rearing calves for beef.
The key to a dairy system that generates high profit with a low emissions intensity is using low footprint feed, says Fonterra program manager on-farm excellence, Louise Cook.
Rural retailer Farmlands has reported a return to profitability, something the co-operative says shows clear progress in the second year of its five-year strategy.

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