Farmers welcome free trade deal with UAE
New Zealand farmers are welcoming news of a free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates, a key country in the Gulf region.
British and New Zealand trade negotiators are burning the midnight oil in a bid to get a free trade agreement between the two countries.
Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O'Connor had a Zoom call about the talks with his UK counterpart, Liz Truss, last week. When the pair met in July, they made much play of the fact that they would try and come to an agreement in principle by the end of August.
At the time, O'Connor noted the pressure was on to get an agreement but conceded there were sensitive issues.
Only recently, the former NZ High Commissioner, Sir Lockwood Smith, stated that the FTA with the UK was there to be had and if the present government didn't do a deal it would be a massive failure on their part.
Last week, as Rural News went to press, there was still no deal. However, O'Connor is hopeful of a deal and said that negotiations were "continuing" toward reaching an agreement in principle.
"However, as we have always said, we need that agreement to be commercially meaningful for our exporters."
O'Connor says NZ remains committed to negotiating a high quality, comprehensive and inclusive FTA with the UK.
Fonterra has updated its plan to divest its global consumer business and integrated businesses, Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka.
Fonterra has announced new financial incentives for farmers who achieve on-farm emissions targets.
OPINION: The farming sector, or at least some parts of it, are preparing for a battle with the Government over its latest international climate change target.
Underground festival is an event for farmers and growers which celebrates the land through great food and inspiring conversations, says event organiser Fran Bailey.
There's been very little reaction to the government science reform announcement, with many saying the devil will be in the detail.
A committee which carried out the review into New Zealand's science system says the underinvestment will continue to compromise the country's future.
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