Gene Technology Bill: Impact on Winegrowers and New Zealand Winegrowers' Response
Genetic modification has long been a topic of hot debate.
New Zealand Winegrowers are happy with the historic Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal reached overnight in Atlanta, Georgia.
New Zealand wine exports are currently valued at $1.46 billion (NZ's 6th largest export), and the industry is aiming to achieve exports of $2 billion per annum by 2020.
TPP will undoubtedly help the wine industry reach our goal of $2 billion of exports by 2020, says New Zealand Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan.
"We congratulate the government and the negotiators for their hard work, and the very positive outcome they have achieved," he says.
"This is an excellent outcome for the New Zealand wine industry. 'Finalising the TPP is strategically very important for our export future as the TPP countries already account for over 60% of New Zealand wine exports.
"While we have not seen the detail of the agreement we understand it will provide improved access into key TPP markets, and a secure rules based system that will help us to improve market access."
Recent rain has offered respite for some from the ongoing drought.
New Zealand's TBfree programme has made great progress in reducing the impact of the disease on livestock herds, but there’s still a long way to go, according to Beef+Lamb NZ.
With much of the North Island experiencing drought this summer and climate change projected to bring drier and hotter conditions, securing New Zealand’s freshwater resilience is vital, according to state-owned GNS Science.
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