Changing global trade ties
OPINION: I recently returned from a market visit overseas, including the United Kingdom and Europe. These are critical, historically important and increasingly high value markets for our red meat exports.
Mike Petersen is one person who's closely monitoring the progress of the FTA with the EU.
The former NZ special agricultural envoy agrees that NZ will have to live with the outcome of the GIs but is hopeful that Ardern can break the deadlock over beef and sheep meat access.
He points to Ardern's international profile and hopes this may carry some weight in the talks.
"But one of the things that I think is quite important, and a lot of people are missing, is that getting a decent deal with Europe will unlock the benefits obtained in the UK FTA as well," Petersen told Rural News.
"This is because there is a lot of opportunity across both markets there now and that is going to be quite important. It is going to be difficult for people to take advantage of the UK FTA if we don't also have the opportunity to go to Europe, so getting them closely aligned will be really important."
Petersen believes while the FTA may not be as good as the one with the UK, whatever deal is signed will be hugely beneficial to NZ.
Holstein Friesian excellence was front and centre at the 2025 Holstein Friesian NZ (HFNZ) Awards, held recently in Invercargill.
The work Fonterra has done with Ballance Agri-Nutrients Ltd, LIC and Ravensdown to save farmers time through better data connections has been recognised with a national award.
This past week has seen another round of negotiations between India and New Zealand to produce a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Cautiously optimistic is how DairyNZ's regional manager for the lower North Island, Mark Laurence describes the mood of farmers in his patch.
The Infrastructure Commission has endorsed a plan by Chorus to expand fibre broadband to 95% of New Zealand much to the delight of rural women.
Questions are being raised about just how good the state of the dairy industry is - especially given that the average farmgate payout for the coming season is set to exceed $10/kgMS.
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