Feds support live animal exports
Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.
Damien O'Connor in his dual capacity of Agriculture and Trade Minister, officially launched a 250 page report on barriers to horticultural trade before a group of about 60 industry representatives in Wellington last week.
He says New Zealand has a lot of work to do at the far end of the world to keep nations focused on the need to support free trade and international rules based trade.
O'Connor concedes that there will be challenges to get free trade agreements (FTAs) over the line.
"We are in a challenging time. We are probably facing more barriers in spite of our efforts to support the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and to get other economies to support us to get the WTO up to where it belongs," he told Rural News.
"NZ is doing its bit to maintain contact with the relevant ministers despite the pandemic. I have been given a list of European ministers to call over January during my holiday.
"Remaining in contact with those people is really important at a time when they will be very domestic focused."
O'Connor says Covid has changed the world and food security has become a huge focus for many nations.
He says there is a risk that some will put up innappropriate trade barriers to protect their domestic food suppliers.
O'Connor says NZ has to counter that argument and also demonstrate that it can supply high quality, sustainably produced food.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
A day after the ouster of PGG Wrightson’s chair and his deputy, the listed rural trader’s board has appointed John Nichol as the new independent chair.
Tributes are pouring in from across the political divide for former Prime Minister Jim Bolger who passed away, aged 90.
The iconic services building at National Fieldays' Mystery Creek site will be demolished to make way for a "contemporary replacement that better serves the needs of both the community and event organisers," says board chair Jenni Vernon.
Agri advisor Perrin Ag says its graduate recruitment programme continues to bring new talent into the agricultural sector.
Entries are open for the 2026 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA).
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