Thursday, 14 April 2022 11:55

UK FTA a boon for NZ meat

Written by  Andrew Morrison
Beef+Lamb NZ chair Andrew Morrison. Beef+Lamb NZ chair Andrew Morrison.

OPINION: The recent New Zealand-United Kingdom free trade agreement (FTA) represents the cumulation of over five years of hard work by the New Zealand Government – supported by Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and the Meat Industry Association (MIA).

It will deliver outcomes that will directly improve the profitability of New Zealand’s sheep and beef sector.

The red meat sector’s trade strategy seeks to ensure New Zealand red meat products have comprehensive access to the widest number of markets possible. Underpinned by FTAs, commercial relationships across diverse markets allow exporters to seek the best returns by targeting different markets for different products at the most opportune time.

This strategic approach sees the sector export to over 100 different markets worldwide. Once the UK-New Zealand FTA comes into force, approximately 65% of the sector’s trade will be covered by FTAs with a further 25% covered by a preferential bilateral arrangement.

The importance of market diversification and a network of FTAs to complement those trading relationships has been underlined by the Covid-19 crisis as exporters have been able to redirect product to markets with the highest returns.

In 2021, despite widespread shipping and market disruption, the value of New Zealand’s red meat exports topped NZ$10 billion for the first time.

The New Zealand-UK FTA represents another key link in this market access strategy. As a long-standing trade partner, the UK is already an important market for New Zealand red meat products. It is our second largest sheepmeat market and has significant potential as a beef market.

Since the 1970s, however, New Zealand’s access has been constrained by quotas, particularly in respect of beef. The FTA delivers will allow companies to build relationships with customers and strategically grow their beef exports to the UK.

UK consumers are discerning but willing to pay premiums for high-quality products with high animal welfare and sustainability credentials. Demonstrating New Zealand’s credentials for robust regulatory oversight and high standards, including in respect of farming practices, was crucial for these FTA negotiations.

During the FTA negotiations, B+LNZ and the MIA built relationships with British trade negotiators and industry representatives by taking them on-farm and to processing plants in order to showcase the sector and demonstrate first-hand the work our beef and sheep farmers are doing on sustainability and animal welfare.

Concerns are likely to be raised about our standards during the UK’s FTA ratification process and we will be working to combat this mis-information to support the safe passage of the FTA through their parliament.   

Andrew Morrison, chairman of Beef + Lamb New Zealand

More like this

UK FTA helps boost exports

Meat Industry Association chief executive Sirma Karapeeva says the outlook for beef in the US is expected to hold up for several years as that country continues to liquidate its herd due to drought.

She's dreamin'!

OPINION: Your old mate suggests the demise of former Beef+Lamb NZ chair Andrew Morrison has done little to change that organisation’s poor understanding about how its farmers are really feeling.

UK welcomed to CPTPP

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says the United Kingdom’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is great news for the region and New Zealand.

Clear as mud

OPINION: Following Beef + Lamb NZ's rather testy annual meeting - and the ousting of former chair Andrew Morrison - the organisation decided to go on a charm offensive in an effort to get farmers back onside.

Trade deals 'opening doors for exporters'

The executive director of Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand (DCANZ) says her organisation supports ongoing efforts from the NZ Government to bring down trade barriers to ensure a diversity of trade opportunities for New Zealand exporters.

Featured

Better animal genetic gain system

A governance group has been formed, following extensive sector consultation, to implement the recommendations from the Industry Working Group's (IWG) final report and is said to be forming a 'road map' for improving New Zealand's animal genetic gain system.

SIDE 2025's new schedule, venue

Annual farmer gathering, the South Island Dairy Event (SIDE), is set to make history as it heads to Timaru for the first time.

Taranaki piggery goes solar

Installing 400 solar panels at their Taranaki piggery and cropping operation will have significant environmental, financial and animal welfare benefits for the Stanley family.

Editorial: Keep FTAs coming

OPINION: The dairy industry will  be a major beneficiary of a new free trade deal between NZ and the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC).

National

Food charity to hold online auction

Meat the Need, New Zealand’s dedicated charity delivering locally sourced protein meals to food-insecure communities, is launching an online National…

Machinery & Products

An ideal solution for larger farms

Designed specifically for large farms that want to drill with maximum flexibility, efficiency and power, the new Lemken Solitair ST…

Landpower increases its offering

Landpower and the Claas Harvest Centre network will launch the Claas Scorpion and Torion material handling solutions to the market…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Leaky waka

OPINION: Was the ASB Economic Weekly throwing shade on Reserve Bank governor Adrian Orr when reporting on his speech in…

Know-it-alls

OPINION: A reader recently had a shot at the various armchair critics that she judged to be more than a…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter