Tuesday, 05 July 2022 09:55

Fingers crossed

Written by  Peter Burke
Mike Petersen. Mike Petersen.

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.

More like this

From the CEO: A changing trade environment

Did you know that nearly 90% of total New Zealand wine sales occur offshore? That simple number means our wine businesses are the most export oriented of all the global wine industries. It also makes our sector especially sensitive to any changes in the trade rules that govern the access of our wines into international markets.

Benefits of EU trade deal

The European Union Ambassador says the new free trade agreement (FTA) between the bloc and New Zealand will bring significant benefits to both parties.

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.

Hort's FTA windfall

NZ onion growers are getting an extra $3 million this season for exports to the European Union, thanks to the early ratification of a free trade agreement (FTA).

Featured

‘Nanobubble’ trial trims irrigation water usage

North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson, is enjoying a huge reduction in irrigation water use after converting a pivot irrigator to drag perforated drip tubes across the ground instead of elevated sprinkler heads.

Editorial: Elusive India FTA

OPINION: Without doubt, a priority of the Government this year will be to gain traction on the elusive free trade deal with India.

Sport star to talk at expo

Rugby league legend Tawera Nikau is set to inspire, celebrate and entertain at the East Coast Farming Expo's very popular Property Broker's Evening Muster.

National

Sweet or sour deal?

Not all stakeholders involved in the proposed merger of honey industry groups - ApiNZ and Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association…

Machinery & Products

Loosening soil without fuss

Distributed in New Zealand by Carrfields, Grange Farm Machinery is based in the Holderness region of East Yorkshire – an…

JCB unveils new models

The first of the UK’s agricultural trade shows was recently held at the NEC Centre in Birmingham.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Times have changed

OPINION: Back in the 1960s and '70s, and even into the '80s, successive National government Agriculture Ministers and Trade Ministers…

Hallelujah moment

OPINION: The new Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche has just had the hallelujah moment of the 21st century in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter