RMA amendments 'will be a relief to farmers'
The Government’s announcement that a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) could be introduced in Parliament next month will be a relief to farmers, says Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ).
Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) and the Meat Industry Association (MIA) are throwing their support behind TPP.
"We're confident that New Zealand's negotiators have secured the best possible deal for Kiwi sheep and beef farmers," says B+LNZ chairman James Parsons.
"The TPP will have a significant impact on the competitiveness of our exports in TPP markets."
The sheep and beef sector paid $94 million in tariffs for $2.4 billion exports to TPP countries in 2014. Nearly a third of the sector's exports are to TPP countries.
New Zealand doesn't currently have FTAs with Japan, the US, Canada, Mexico or Peru, says MIA chairman Bill Falconer.
"This deal is particularly important for us in relation to those markets, some of which currently charge very high tariffs on our exports but are highly valuable to the sector,"
"The TPP will also open the door to addressing some complex and costly non-tariff barriers." says Falconer.
New Zealand's FTAs saved $161 million in tariffs on the sheep and beef sector's global exports last year, and the conclusion of the TPP means that number will continue to grow.
The full details of the TPP, including the specific tariff cuts taking place in various markets, are expected to be released by the government soon.
The country’s 4200 commercial fruit and vegetable growers will vote from May 14 on a new HortNZ levy.
Meat processor Alliance Group is asking farmer shareholders to inject more capital in order to remain a 100% co-operative.
A vet is calling for all animals to be vaccinated against a new strain of leptospirosis (lepto) discovered on New Zealand dairy farms in recent years.
Dairy
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
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