Editorial: Passage to India
OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.
Facing criticism on the deal for dairy in particular, Trade Minister Todd McClay said TPP is a free trade agreement in that it frees up trade.
"We were ambitious particularly in the area of dairy and would have seen greater liberalisation and better access for New Zealand dairy farmers into these markets," he said at the Auckland TPP roadshow.
"We didn't achieve all that.... But we need to remember dairy is still one of the most protected and regulated industries in the world."
After all these years they are starting to get better access to the US, the world's largest economy, for dairy and other produce.
"If you are asking whether we think that is it and we don't have to worry about dairy and other industries around the world, the answer is no. NZ will always argue for greater liberalisation in all these areas."
But if they don't go into the TPP agreement, restrictions would be higher on all exporters. Ninety five percent of our exports will be covered by free trade without restriction when TPP enters into force.
McClay says they will use the whole of this year for the parliamentary stage of the process. Previous trade agreements have moved through Parliament much faster.
This was NZ's largest and most beneficial agreement and had two years to enter into force, he said. They have time to work through the legislative stages, which are likely to be quite technical particularly on the copyright issue.
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford is claiming “some real success” on the 12 policy priorities it placed before the Coalition Government.
Federated Farmers is throwing its support behind the Fast-track Approvals Bill introduced by the Coalition Government to enable a fast-track decision-making process for infrastructure and development projects.
The latest report from ANZ isn’t good news for sheep farmers: lamb returns are forecast to remain low.
Divine table grapes that herald the start of a brand-new industry in Hawke’s Bay have been coming off vines in Maraekakaho.
In what appears to be a casualty of the downturn in the agricultural sector, a well-known machinery brand is now in the hands of liquidators and owing creditors $6.6 million.
One of New Zealand’s deepest breeder Jersey herds – known for its enduring connection through cattle with the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II – will host its 75th anniversary celebration sale on-farm on April 22.