Potential UAE trade deal would boost red meat exports
The red meat sector is welcoming the start of trade negotiations between New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Expect protest marches, outrage and nonsensical claims – from self-professed academic experts to gloried All Blacks' water-boys – it has been confirmed that New Zealand will host the formal signing of the TPP early next month.
Prime Minister John Key offered to host the signing of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal in New Zealand, says Trade Minister Todd McClay.
They are looking at possible dates with the 11 other countries involved in the deal.
Currently TPP participants are also legally verifying the text. When that it finished it will be made publicly available and will need to be signed, McClay adds.
NZ is the repository, meaning we take responsibility for holding the final text when it is signed.
"Every country has a different process to go through domestically to have the ability to sign the agreement and they need to wait until all 11 countries have finished that process before final decisions on a venue and a date can be made."
On the free trade negotiations with the European Union, McClay says he met with the EU trade commission head Cecilia Malmström in Nairobi in December and they agreed McClay would travel to Brussels early this year and meet with her again.
"We have agreed we want to make significant progress during this year, but it is likely to take a couple of years before we can be close to reaching agreement on an FTA with the European Union," he told Rural News. "It is a big priority for our government."
Current two way trade with the EU, even without an FTA, is worth $20 billion. The TPP is worth about $28b in exports to NZ and the China FTA is worth about $20b.
OPINION: The recent Federated Farmers / Rabobank 2024 Farming Salaries Report revealed strong growth in farm salaries over the past two years.
The low unemployment environment is one of the key factors driving on-farm salaries higher over the past 24 months, says Rabobank general manager for country banking Bruce Weir.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.
A seminar on rural dispute resolution has been organised at Lincoln University, Christchurch this month.
The legacy of Dr Peter Snow continues to inspire as the recipients of the 2023 and 2024 Peter Snow Memorial Awards were announced at the recent National Rural Health Conference.
One of Fonterra’s global customers, Mars is launching an ambitious sustainable dairy plan to work with dairy farmers and cut emissions by 50%.