Scales declares strong first half performance
Scales Corporation has today reported its results for the first half of the 2025 financial year, revealing what it says are outstanding results from its horticulture and logistics divisions.
The recent deal struck between the UK and EU over Brexit is indirectly good news for New Zealand.
That’s the view of Mike Petersen, NZ’s special agricultural trade envoy, who’s been in Europe meeting with various people involved in the Brexit process.
Petersen told Rural News of a significant deal. He says it is progress and covers three major sticking points: the agreement on a ‘soft’ border between the Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, the UK’s financial settlement for leaving the EU and the rights of citizens living within the two jurisdictions.
But Petersen says the issue that particularly interests NZ, tariff rated quotas (TRQs) for lamb, was not discussed.
“In reality it was always out on a limb anyway and unfortunately that issue is still going to have to be addressed. That is the disappointing aspect of it, but to be honest I wouldn’t have expected it to be in their discussions.”
Petersen says other more pressing issues – such as the Irish border – needed to be resolved. The good news now is that the deal has prevented a ‘no deal’ between the two parties, which was touted as a possibility. Peterson believes with this deal the EU and the UK can work on their future relationship and the issue of the TRQs could be part of that. In respect of the Republic of Ireland, Petersen says there are major issues still to be resolved on trade with the UK. He notes that, for example, 70% of the cheddar cheese used in the UK comes from Ireland.
“Ireland’s reliance on the UK is significantly greater in proportion than NZ’s reliance on the UK.”
Petersen says that while visiting Europe to advocate for NZ’s agri food sector he’s made a point of encouraging ministers, officials and lobby groups to come to NZ.
He doesn’t think NZ has all the answers, but thinks it is important for UK officials to get out and see the world from a different perspective and see the lessons we learned from our reforms and what could be applicable for them in the UK .
“At the moment, Brexit is like living in cardboard box and they are becoming so consumed with the Brexit issues that it is hard for them to focus on the bigger picture.”
Petersen says next year there will be a steady stream of visitors from the UK and Europe coming to NZ and he also has plans to go to Europe himself.
Phoebe Scherer, a technical manager from the Bay of Plenty, has won the 2025 Young Grower of the Year national title.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
Award-winning boutique cheese company, Cranky Goat Ltd has gone into voluntary liquidation.
As an independent review of the National Pest Management Plan for TB finds the goal of complete eradication by 2055 is still valide, feedback is being sought on how to finish the job.
Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.
A tiny organism from the arid mountains of mainland Greece is facilitating a new way of growing healthier animals on farms across New Zealand.
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