Red line on dairy
OPINION: As India negotiates to open its borders to more global products, dairy is proving a sticky issue.
Dairy industry representatives are joining Primary Industries Minister David Carter as he visits India to promote trade relations.
"India is a rapidly rising player in the Asia-Pacific region and New Zealand is keen to develop stronger economic and agricultural ties," Carter says. The Minister will also travel to Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
In India, Carter will hold discussions with the Agriculture and Trade Ministers and hold a series of primary industry meetings. He will also be joined by leading representatives of New Zealand's dairy, meat, horticulture and agri-tech sectors.
"These meetings further strengthen the New Zealand-India bilateral relationship and give our two countries the opportunity to canvass a range of primary industries issues," says Carter.
"India is one of our top trade negotiating priorities. A successful Free Trade Agreement will help expand businesses and create jobs."
During the Minister's visit to Indonesia, he will open the inaugural Joint Working Group on Agriculture in Jakarta and hold a series of trade and agriculture meetings.
"Indonesia is our 10th-largest export market, but there is a lot of room to expand this trade and to further develop the relationship between our two countries."
Trade and agricultural opportunities will also be top of the agenda during Carter's visit to Sri Lanka.
The minister left this morning.
Fonterra has lifted and narrowed its full year forecast earnings range to 60-70 cents per share after a strong quarter, supported by robust milk production, strong shipment volumes and continued demand across its Ingredients and Foodservice businesses.
Fonterra has announced it will continue with the planned expansion of its organic business into the South Island.
New Zealand farmers have been told they all have amazing people on their farms and have been urged to be “that one person” that can make a huge difference to those going through tough times.
OPINION: For thousands of Southland farmers, this week would have tipped them into the non-compliant category when it comes to following regional freshwater plan rules. But the Government has stepped in to give them the clarity they deserve.
The stark realities of the world trade that New Zealand is having to face have been revealed by Trade Minister Todd McClay.
New Zealand and the European Union are closer than ever.