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Bill English.
The Government is now backing a Green Party bill requiring country of origin labelling (CoOL) on single ingredient food such as fruit and meat.
Prime Minister Bill English says the change of heart is prompted by consumer preference as roundly discussed in National’s caucus. “It’s reflecting pretty strong consumer preferences.”
The Consumers’ Right to Know (Country of Origin of Food) Bill will have its first reading in parliament soon and will go to select committee after National agreed to support it.
It will require mandatory CoOL for fresh single ingredient foods such as meat, fruit, vegetables, nuts oils and flour.
English says National will decide after the select committee process whether to continue to support it into law.
Horticulture New Zealand has congratulated the government on backing the bill.
“Given that our recent survey showed more than 70% of NZers want mandatory CoOL for fresh fruit and vegetables, it is great to see the government listened to that,” Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman says.
A Hawke's Bay apple orchardist supports the Government's objective of doubling exports but says this won't happen in the horticulture sector unless there's a change in the process for bringing new plant material into the country.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says a new report projects strong export growth for New Zealand's horticulture sector highlights the industry's increasing contribution to the national economy.
Global trade wars and uncertain tariff regimes could play into the hands of many New Zealand exporters, according to Gareth Coleman ANZ’s Head of Trade & Supply Chain.
A new Indonesian school milk programme is expected to significantly increase the country's total dairy consumption, creating opportunities for New Zealand and other global dairy players.
Horticultural prices are set to remain elevated this year, reflecting the balance between demand in key export markets and an increase in supply.
New Zealand and Chile have signed a new arrangement designed to boost agricultural cooperation and drive sector success.
New DairyNZ research will help farmers mitigate the impacts of heat stress on herds in high-risk regions of the country.
Budou are being picked now in Bridge Pā, the most intense and exciting time of the year for the Greencollar team – and the harvest of the finest eating grapes is weeks earlier than expected.
The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ) has released its latest rural property report, providing a detailed view of New Zealand’s rural real estate market for the 12 months ending December 2025.
Rural retailer Farmlands has released it's latest round of half-year results, labeling it as evidence that its five-year strategy is delivering on financial performance and better value for members.
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