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Federated Farmers is elated US President, Barack Obama, has committed the US to the Trans Pacific Partnership in his State of the Union address.
"The world is a better and safer place when we trade openly and honestly," says Bruce Wills, Federated Farmers president.
"This is greatly reinforced by President Obama saying to the American people that he wants to complete negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
"We can all look forward to a great 2013 because America wants to export its way to growth just as much as we do.
"The TPP economies have a combined GDP of some US$21 trillion. The TPP places us in tomorrow's world and with tomorrow's economies like Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Vietnam, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Canada and the US.
"This game changer is now within our grasp for our economy and especially our primary industries.
"I recognise some people fear the TPP but did not another US President facing troubled economic times say 'the only thing we have to fear is fear itself'. In the 1930's, the world turned to protectionism and trade barriers that took a global cataclysm to resolve.
"Today, we know that trade is the best guarantor of peace and stability because it lifts living standards and understanding.
"All we want is a TPP which eliminates tariffs on all products without exception, introduces liberal rules of origin within the TPP region and ensures regulations adhere to international science based standards.
"We have the strong impression President Obama wants that to," Wills says.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Federated Farmers has called on Central Otago District Council (CODC) to drop or vote down a plan to truck sludge from Alexandra and Cromwell to farmland near Lauder, warning it would compound an "outrageous" situation created by a separate council's decision weeks earlier.
Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.
Leading figures from the major political parties will be questioned on their primary sector policies at the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek Events Centre, Hamilton, on 30 September.
Will the good times last? That's one of the key issues to come out of the latest Federated Farmers confidence survey.
Waikato milk processor Tatua has again declared a record milk payout to farmer shareholders, leaving other processors in the dust.
A Labour-led Government won’t be bringing back the controversial freshwater rules of 2020.
National’s much-touted free trade deal with India featured in the Rural Issues Debate at Mystery Creek, Hamilton on Wednesday night.
New Zealand's 2026-27 freshwater fishing season has opened, with anglers encouraged to head to rivers and lakes over the coming days as conditions look favourable across much of the country.
Central Otago District Council (CODC) has voted against a plan to spread treated sewage sludge from Cromwell and Alexandra on farmland near Lauder, a decision Federated Farmers says reflects strong opposition from rural residents.
Pāmu has released its FY26 Integrated Annual Report, reporting a Net Operating Profit of $113 million, more than double the $49 million recorded in FY25.
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