Make it 1000%!
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of 125% on the US, up from the 84% announced earlier.
Almost a year to the day from when he made his first trip to India, Trade Minister Todd McClay is jetting off there again just before Christmas.
This is part of an ongoing programme to build relationships with one of the world’s most powerful economies and a country NZ would dearly love to get a Free Trade Agreement with.
This will be Todd McClay’s fourth trip to India within a year.
Speaking to Rural News, just before he left, he said the relationship between the two countries is in a much better space than it was a year ago. He says his talks will centre around ways that the two countries can trade more and says already some barriers have come down with logging exports able to go there now.
“But it’s too soon to be talking about any kind of trade architecture, however the Indian government is clear that our relationship with them is a priority across all facets including trade,” he says.
McClay says cultural ties between the two nations are strong and says the visit here of the Indian President and Christopher Luxon’s meeting with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi all point to a growing relationship. He says Mr Modi has personally invited Mr Luxon to visit India and says this will happen in the new year. McClay says accompanying our PM will be a large business delegation.
“All this points to the fact that we are heading in the right direction,” he says.
A group of meat processing companies, directors and managers have been fined a total of $1.6 million for deliberately and illegally altering exported tallow for profit.
New Zealand’s top cheeses for 2025 have been announced and family-owned, Oamaru-based Whitestone Cheese is the big winner.
Waikato farmer, and Owl Farm demonstration manager, Jo Sheridan is the 2025 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year.
New Zealand’s special agricultural trade envoy Hamish Marr believes the outlook for the dairy sector remains strong.
Everyone from experienced veterinarians and young professionals to the Wormwise programme and outstanding clinics have been recognised in this year’s New Zealand Veterinary Association Te Pae Kīrehe (NZVA) awards.
OPINION: The Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable is welcome, and long overdue.