Editorial: Passage to India
OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.
Facing criticism on the deal for dairy in particular, Trade Minister Todd McClay said TPP is a free trade agreement in that it frees up trade.
"We were ambitious particularly in the area of dairy and would have seen greater liberalisation and better access for New Zealand dairy farmers into these markets," he said at the Auckland TPP roadshow.
"We didn't achieve all that.... But we need to remember dairy is still one of the most protected and regulated industries in the world."
After all these years they are starting to get better access to the US, the world's largest economy, for dairy and other produce.
"If you are asking whether we think that is it and we don't have to worry about dairy and other industries around the world, the answer is no. NZ will always argue for greater liberalisation in all these areas."
But if they don't go into the TPP agreement, restrictions would be higher on all exporters. Ninety five percent of our exports will be covered by free trade without restriction when TPP enters into force.
McClay says they will use the whole of this year for the parliamentary stage of the process. Previous trade agreements have moved through Parliament much faster.
This was NZ's largest and most beneficial agreement and had two years to enter into force, he said. They have time to work through the legislative stages, which are likely to be quite technical particularly on the copyright issue.
Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.
Shipping disruption caused by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea has so far not impacted fertiliser prices or supply on farm.
The opportunity to spend more time on farm while providing a dedicated service for shareholders attracted new environmental manager Ben Howden to work for Waimakariri Irrigation Limited (WIL).
Federated Farmers claims that the Otago Regional Council is charging ahead unnecessarily with piling more regulation on rural communities.
Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.
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