Tuesday, 07 September 2021 07:55

Still waiting

Written by  Peter Burke
Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O'Connor. Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O'Connor.

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.

More like this

'China and' strategy

Trade Minister Todd McClay says the Chinese market remains soft and consumers are more cautious in their buying patterns, but he says there are still many opportunities for New Zealand.

Feds support live animal exports

Federated Farmers have reiterated their support for the coalition Government to abolish the present ban on the live export of animals.

Live exports battle

As the coalition Government mulls new regulations to reinstate the export of live animals, debate is heating up between supporters and opponents.

Food insecurity

OPINION: Good on the UK'S NFU for battling to get supermarkets to prioritise local farmers' produce.

Featured

Editorial: Climate dilemma

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.

Certainty welcomed

There's been very little reaction to the government science reform announcement, with many saying the devil will be in the detail.

Science 'deserves more funding'

A committee which carried out the review into New Zealand's science system says the underinvestment will continue to compromise the country's future.

National

FE survey underway

Beef + Lamb NZ wants farmers to complete a survey that will shed light on the financial toll of facial…

Top dairy CEO quits

Arguably one of the country's top dairy company's chief executives, Richard Wyeth has abruptly quit Chinese owned Westland Milk Products…

DairyNZ seeks more cash

For the first time in 17 years, DairyNZ wants farmers to contribute more cash to run the industry-good organisation.

Machinery & Products

New home for JCB Agriculture

Power Farming has announced a new chapter in its partnership with JCB, which having represented the UK-based company’s construction equipment…

CAT's 100th anniversary

While instantly recognised as the major player in construction equipment, Caterpillar Inc, more commonly known as CAT, has its roots…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Ruth reckons

OPINION: Ruth Richardson, architect of the 1991 ‘Mother of all Budgets’ and the economic reforms dubbed ‘Ruthanasia’, added her two…

Veg, no meat?

OPINION: Why do vegans and others opposed to eating meat try to convince others that a plant based diet is…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter