Will India ink a free trade agreement with NZ?
Beef+Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) has welcomed the New Zealand Government's announcement that comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations have formally commenced with India.
B+LNZ chair Kate Acland said this announcement will be applauded by sheep and beef farmers.
“Our farmers are doing it tough now – this week we released our mid-season update showing the widespread cash losses our sector is facing this financial year.
“Concern about the expense and workability of the previous Government’s environmental reform agenda is affecting farmer confidence, so any move to address some of the particularly flawed rules is very welcome.
“The announcement gives everyone some breathing space while the Government looks at SNAs. We look forward to being involved in that review.”
Acland says B+LNZ had repeatedly told the Labour Government the criteria for SNAs was too broad and that more time was needed to test the effects of this and to get the rules right.
“Farmers are hugely committed to looking after their land and to enhancing and protecting native biodiversity. There’s 2.8 million hectares of native vegetation on New Zealand’s sheep and beef farms and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of.
“The current criteria for an SNA are far too broad and will capture huge swathes of sheep and beef farmland, tying up farmers in red tape and penalising those who’ve done the most to look after the native biodiversity on their land.
“We need a rethink on biodiversity and want a system that turns biodiversity into an asset rather than the current framework which turns it into a liability.
“We look forward to working with the Government on solutions. We need to take time to get this right and ensure we have workable and enduring solutions to protect New Zealand’s biodiversity.”
