Monday, 23 June 2014 14:41

Leave TPP slowcoaches behind

Written by 

WITH PRIME Minister John Key and President Barack Obama showing strong support for a comprehensive Trans Pacific Partnership, New Zealand farmers will support leaving countries behind that are not prepared to eliminate agricultural tariffs.

 

"The Trans Pacific Partnership was established to eliminate all tariffs and bring a new level of discipline to the use of non-tariff barriers," says Bruce Wills, the national president of Federated Farmers of New Zealand.

"If we have a country that is not prepared to accept this reality, then they should not be allowed to slow down progress for all.

"It doesn't mean they won't enter in the future but a compromised TPP is no agreement at all. Federated Farmers does not wish to see the TPP drag-on like the stalled Doha talks either.

"We are genuinely enthused to see the keenness of President Obama's administration to have the TPP concluded this year. It's no wonder when 37% of American exports go to TPP countries supporting four million jobs and the United States will gain much more going forward.

"Federated Farmers TPP bottom line is the elimination, without exception, of all product tariffs. The TPP will set the benchmark for all future trade deals in the Asia-Pacific region so we cannot afford to get this wrong.

"If we set a high standard at the get-go then all future TPP entrants will have no opportunity to water it down. That includes those who may not immediately enter the TPP, but of course, we hope that they eventually will.

"According to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade, a study by the East West Centre predicts the TPP could see New Zealand's annual exports boosted by almost $5 billion in 2025. The global effect is measured in the hundreds of billions.

"Encouragingly, our experience of Free Trade Agreements is that this figure is probably conservative.

"We only have to look at the free trade deal with Taiwan, which took effect late last year. In the year to April 2014 our exports there are up 15% over the year before while our exports to countries of the ASEAN region are up 17%.

Willa says at the recent filed days he earned that there were originally thousands of lines to be agreed on the TPP but encouragingly we seem down to the last 20%.

"I know there have been false dawns in the past but we believe a successful end is in sight," Wills says.

More like this

Featured

How Wearable Tech Powers This 1,850-Cow Dairy Farm

For Canterbury dairy farmers Sian Meijer and Rick Wobben, wearable technology has become one of their most valuable on-farm tools - helping manage 1850 cows across an expansive, high-performing dairy operation while improving efficiency, mating outcomes and day-to-day decision making.

New Dairy Welfare Code Released, Takes Effect 2027

The first major update to the Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare in more than a decade has been released, marking what DairyNZ describes as an important step in ensuring animal welfare standards continue to evolve alongside scientific evidence and on-farm realities.

Federated Farmers Welcomes RMA Replacement Passing

Federated Farmers says new legislation replacing the Resource Management Act will cut red tape, unlock investment and help grow New Zealand's export-led economy, after the Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill passed their third reading in Parliament yesterday.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

'LinkedIn Greens'

OPINION: The same mainstream media muppets that brought you Jacindamania in 2017 have been flat out pimping for the Opportunities…

UK Warning

OPINION: Your old mate reckons the atrocious way farmers in the UK are treated by their lords and masters in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter