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.
New Zealand is a step closer to free trade with the United Kingdom, says Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor.
O’Connor’s statement came after the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Legislation Bill had it’s first reading in Parliament yesterday.
“We’re continuing steady progress toward ratifying this historic free trade agreement (FTA) and having its benefits flow through our economy,” O’Connor says.
“The elimination of tariffs, almost all when the Agreement comes into force, and the new levels of ambition in inclusive and sustainable trade, including outcomes for Māori, women in trade, and the environment, make the UK FTA a gold-standard agreement,” he says.
O’Connor describes the deal as one of the best New Zealand has ever negotiated and will boost the economy by up to $1 billion as well as providing us with further economic security.
Negotiations for the UK FTA were launched in June 2020 and reached the agreement-in-principle stage in October last year.
Once both New Zealand and the United Kingdom have completed their mutual ratification processes, the FTA can enter into force.
“This is an excellent deal that was negotiated at a good pace, with much of it done virtually through the pandemic,” O’Connor says.
He says the Government aims to complete New Zealand’s ratification processes by the end of 2022.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.