Red meat industry hails new migrant visa rules as win for jobs and exports
New Zealand's red meat processing and exporting sector has welcomed the government's announcement of new work visas.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and the Meat Industry Association (MIA) are throwing their support behind TPP.
"We're confident that New Zealand's negotiators have secured the best possible deal for Kiwi sheep and beef farmers," says B+LNZ chairman James Parsons.
"The TPP will have a significant impact on the competitiveness of our exports in TPP markets."
The sheep and beef sector paid $94 million in tariffs for $2.4 billion exports to TPP countries in 2014. Nearly a third of the sector's exports are to TPP countries.
New Zealand doesn't currently have FTAs with Japan, the US, Canada, Mexico or Peru, says MIA chairman Bill Falconer.
"This deal is particularly important for us in relation to those markets, some of which currently charge very high tariffs on our exports but are highly valuable to the sector,"
"The TPP will also open the door to addressing some complex and costly non-tariff barriers." says Falconer.
New Zealand's FTAs saved $161 million in tariffs on the sheep and beef sector's global exports last year, and the conclusion of the TPP means that number will continue to grow.
The full details of the TPP, including the specific tariff cuts taking place in various markets, are expected to be released by the government soon.
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.
All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.
Claims that some Southland farmers were invoiced up to $4000 for winter grazing compliance checks despite not breaching rules are being rejected by Environment Southland.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
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