Tuesday, 21 September 2021 11:55

Leaving on a jet plane - again!

Written by  Peter Burke
Export Growth, Trade and Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor. Export Growth, Trade and Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor.

Damien O'Connor is planning to head back to Europe again shortly to breathe oxygen into the free trade agreements that New Zealand is negotiating separately with the UK and the EU.

This will be the Minister for Export Growth and Trade and Agriculture's second trip to Europe this year.

O'Connor's visit will coincide with European politicians coming back from their summer break. He will visit key European Union capitals, as well as the headquarters of the EU in Brussels. There is also a rumour that he may stop off for talks in the United States. If so, O'Connor would become the first NZ politician to meet with officials of the new Biden administration.

There is also a suggestion that he will visit Ireland, where he has family connections. O'Connor's Irish links may help in some way to gain a friend at court in Europe, now that the UK is no longer part of the EU.

But there are no guarantees in the world of FTAs as a former trade minister and NZ High Commissioner to London, Sir Lockwood Smith, told Rural News several weeks ago. He described the EU as a totally different kettle of fish to Britain. Smith believes the EU is struggling a bit on the whole issue of agricultural access and says the first offer to NZ was "risible".

O'Connor and the NZ negotiating team face challenges with the EU given that any FTA requires the approval of all 27 member states.

On the slightly more positive side, he may be looking to finalise a FTA with the UK or at least get an agreement in principle for a FTA. After O'Connor's first trip to Europe this year, there were talks that NZ and the UK would have an agreement in principle signed last month, but this hasn't happened.

More like this

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.

Not popular

OPINION: This old mutt hears that his editor has copped a fair bit of flak from readers after an article on former Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor appeared in the last issue of this fine organ.

Reflecting a challenging period

Damien O'Connor admits his six years in office were incredibly challenging, with Covid, droughts, floods, storms, M. bovis and volcanic eruptions to name a few.

Back to the backbench

Former Labour agriculture and trade minister Damien O'Connor hopes the new coalition Governent will continue the direction of travel initiated by his government in terms of ensuring the high reputation of our primary exports.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter