$20m facial eczema research funding announced
Government and the red meat sector are teaming up to help eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) on farmed animals.
A trade deal with the United Arab Emirates has moved a step close following a meeting between NZ's Trade Minister Todd McClay and UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
The pair met at the recent WTO Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi where McClay launched a public consultation for a trade agreement between the two countries. Exploratory discussions on what is called a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) - or effectively an FTA - began last September with two virtual discussions between officials held in December and February.
McClay says the UAE is a top-20 export market for NZ and our largest market in the Middle East, with exports increasing 17% to $1.2 billion in the last year. He says an FTA with the UAE could bring opportunities to enhance our bilateral cooperation and grow our trading relationship.
The UAE is one of the wealthiest countries in the world on a per-capita basis, with an increasingly diversified economy built on financial services, logistics, transport and petroleum. The UAE has started pursuing bilateral CEPAs since 2021, five of which have entered into force. That country is an important hub for NZ and a key component of our connectivity to the region and beyond, particularly in the aviation and maritime sectors.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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