Labour Supports NZ/India FTA
National's decision to ‘dribble’ information about the NZ/India to Labour contributed to the delay in it deciding to supported the FTA.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor is in Washington DC this week, speaking at the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate Summit, held from 8 – 10 May.
The summit has been organised by the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
“As we adjust to changing consumer trends and a changing climate, we must continue to support New Zealand farmers and growers to keep up their work reducing on-farm emissions, growing exports and retaining the sector’s competitive edge in international markets,” O’Connor says.
He says revenue from primary sector exports hit a record $53.1 billion in the year ending June 2022 and it is key to continue that momentum.
“Since 2017 the Government has secured or upgraded seven free trade agreements which bring huge market opportunities for our farmers and growers,” O’Connor says.
“The Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate Summit is expected to be this year’s milestone event for agriculture and climate change. It is a joint initiative to unite member countries to increase investment and support for climate-smart agriculture and food production by 2025,” he says.
“This Summit presents a rare opportunity for an international meeting of Agriculture Ministers to discuss the sustainable reduction of agricultural emissions and the ways in which we can work together to support farmers and growers across the globe to shift the dial on their emissions.”
“Export growth for our sector will depend on our sustainability credentials and we’re focussed on working with farmers and growers to be able demonstrate them,” says O’Connor.
State farmer Pāmu says a programme it's running to help skilled operators into farm ownership is paying dividends.
Central Otago farmer Bevan McKnight no longer worries about leaving a few Angus cattle behind while mustering on the 13,000ha station he leases.
Livestock Improvement Corporation (LIC) and the Ag Emissions Centre have completed the latest phase of a mult-year methane research project, providing important insight into the role genetics may play in reducing gross emissions.
A lavish signing ceremony in Delhi has cemented in place a deal that will have massive economic benefits for some of NZ's key primary exports - notably forestry, horticulture, sheepmeat and wool.
Rapid growth in dairy farm worker pay in recent years means more money in the pockets of New Zealanders, says Federated Farmers dairy chair Karl Dean.
New Zealand exports to the European Union have surged by $3 billion in two years under the New Zealand-European Union Free Trade Agreement.