2026 Meat Industry Association scholarship applications open
Applications have now opened for the 2026 Meat Industry Association scholarships.
The Meat Industry Association (MIA) and Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) say they welcome China’s formal application to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Sirma Karapeeva, chief executive of MIA, says the application is an exciting and important development as New Zealand looks to trade to drive its economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Closer regional integration that includes such an important trading partner like China will allow New Zealand red meat companies to leverage supply chains and deepen their relationships with customers across this important region.”
Karapeeva says the CPTPP was conceived with a vision for deeper regional integration and a closer more connected trading block within the Asia Pacific.
“The broad interest in membership and China’s formal application to join the agreement demonstrates that the CPTPP is delivering on this ambition.”
B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says the sector is supportive of new members who demonstrate a willingness and ability to meet the benchmark for high standards and ambition that the original members set for the CPTPP.
“The China-New Zealand FTA, and the recent upgrade, demonstrates the high quality and commitment to trade liberalisation that China is capable of and will be most welcome in a CPTPP context.
“Furthermore, the expansion of CPTPP is an important step in continuing to update and harmonise trade rules in the Asia-Pacific region. It sends an important message to the wider trade community, including the WTO, that trade rules continue to be important and there remains an appetite to expand these and build closer trade relationships.”
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.

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