Damien O’Connor: NZ united on global trade
When it comes to international trade, politicians from all sides of the aisle are united, says Labour's trade spokesman Damien O'Connor.
The main beneficiaries of the EU FTA will be kiwifruit, onions, honey, wine and seafood.
The horticultural sector will have $46 million in tariffs slashed from day one, while honey exporters will benefit from the phased removal of the 17% over three years, and for mānuka honey rights from day one.
NZ's two main exports - dairy and meat - have not gained the access they were hoping for. However, butter gets 36,000 tonnes of quota - phased in over seven years. While small in NZ terms, it equates to around 60% of the EU's total annual butter imports. Cheese will have improved access, growing from just over 6,000 tonnes to 31,000 tonnes over seven years.
Beef access again is small, but perhaps understandable given that the EU is a major beef producer. The quota will progressively go to 10,000 tonnes over seven years with a reduced tariff quota.
NZ sheep meat exporters will have access to an additional duty-free quota to the EU growing to 38,000 tonnes over 6 years. This is on top of existing duty-free WTO quota access to the EU of 125,769 tonnes.
Moves are afoot to get a team of Australians over here to help repair North Canterbury's irrigation machinery, ravaged by the big windstorm of late October.
As you approach Hastings from the south along SH2, the colour of the west-facing hills are a good indicator of a drought.
Global beef trade is expected to grow steadily over the next five years, driven by increasing demand from Asia and strategic export expansions by South American countries.
Carpet maker Bremworth is reinstating solution-dyed nylon (SDN) into its product mix but says wool carpets remain central to its brand.
While New Zealand may be under siege from braindead, flesh-eating monstrosities, that doesn’t mean lambing can stop.
OPINION: As negotiations advance on the India-New Zealand FTA, it’s important to remember the joint commitment made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the beginning of this process in March: for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive, and mutually beneficial agreement.

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