NZ-UAE trade talks
A trade deal with the United Arab Emirates has moved a step close following a meeting between NZ's Trade Minister Todd McClay and UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi.
New Zealand's deer industry is deeply disappointed in the reported outcome of the New Zealand–Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
South Korea consumes around 60% of New Zealand's deer velvet antler production. Frozen deer velvet, which accounts for about 75% of New Zealand's $20 million velvet exports to Korea, has been completely excluded under the terms of the agreement. Processed (dried) deer velvet has been included in the FTA, but the phase-out period for the existing 20% tariff is 15 years, in-line with the US Korea FTA.
"While the inclusion of processed velvet will be helpful for our struggling processers over the longer term, the drawn-out reduction in the tariff could be too little, too late for some," says Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) chair, Andy Macfarlane.
He says DINZ and New Zealand exporters have worked tirelessly in Korea over a number of years to build markets for New Zealand deer velvet antler and foster good relationships with the Korean deer industry.
"Korean deer farmers and velvet processors appreciate the benefits of collaborating with New Zealand producers to develop the market for their products and appeared generally supportive of an FTA with New Zealand," says Macfarlane. "We are simply at a loss as to why frozen velvet has been excluded. Although this FTA was imperative for some industries, it clearly falls short of the comprehensive trade agreements that NZ has negotiated previously. In future negotiations we will have to live with the precedent that has been created."
Macfarlane says he did, however, acknowledge the overall benefits of the FTA for New Zealand. "For the deer sector, this is much less than what we had thought was possible, but we do recognise that this deal will deliver benefits for the wider primary sector and for the New Zealand economy generally."
While the agreement hasn't left the deer velvet sector in a worse position than it had been, it will inhibit the growth of a more direct export trade to Korea for frozen velvet, which would have enabled a closer connection between producer and customer, he says.
"Large food companies in Korea were looking at New Zealand frozen deer velvet as an ingredient in new health products and its exclusion from the FTA will hinder those opportunities."
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.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…