$2b boost in NZ exports to EU
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
New Zealand red meat sector leaders head to Brussels this week as negotiations between the European Union (EU) and New Zealand for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) enter a critical stage.
Meat Industry Association (MIA) chief executive Sirma Karapeeva and Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Sam McIvor will be supporting New Zealand trade negotiators during the talks, which are being held days before an end of June deadline to conclude an Agreement in Principle.
“Negotiations are coming to a crunch and this trip to Brussels highlights just how important these discussions are to New Zealand’s red meat sector,” says Karapeeva.
“New Zealand has been a longstanding and trusted trade partner of the EU and out companies have been providing consumers with safe, nutritious and high quality product for decades.
“Despite this, New Zealand is one of the few countries that does not have an FTA with the EU and so this is an opportunity to conclude a high quality, comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement.”
Sam McIvor, chief executive of B+LNZ, says New Zealand and the EU share common values and a commitment to high production standards and robust regulatory frameworks for food safety and quality, animal welfare and sustainability.
“A high quality and ambitious trade deal between New Zealand and the EU is a natural fit so we will be imploring our negotiators to strike a deal that reflects this and delivers real benefits to the sector.”
BNZ says it is backing aspiring dairy farmers through an innovative new initiative that helps make the first step to farm ownership or sharemilking a little easier.
LIC chief executive David Chin says meeting the revised methane reduction targets will rely on practical science, smart technology, and genuine collaboration across the sector.
Lincoln University Dairy Farm will be tweaking some management practices after an animal welfare complaint laid in mid-August, despite the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) investigation into the complaint finding no cause for action.
A large slice of the $3.2 billion proposed capital return for Fonterra farmer shareholders could end up with the banks.
Opening a new $3 million methane research barn in Waikato this month, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay called on the dairy sector to “go as fast as you can and prove the concepts”.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.

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