Potential UAE trade deal would boost red meat exports
The red meat sector is welcoming the start of trade negotiations between New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Government is holding a national woolshed roadshow over the next three months to revitalise the wool sector.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will be joined by Mark Patterson, Minister for Rural Communities and Associate Minister responsible for wool on the roadshow.
“Sheep farmers have long been the backbone of New Zealand’s farming communities,” says Patterson.
“Under my delegation as Minister responsible for wool I will be working with farmers to rebuild the industry into a strong sector that recognises the exporting and sustainability potential of the product.
“We will be engaging with small catchment groups from Northland to Southland meeting farmers in the woolsheds, and at the farm gate, to discuss grassroots solutions.”
McClay says sheep farmers continue to make an invaluable contribution to our primary sector and this government is committed to celebrating and supporting that.
This week McClay hosted bipartisan celebrations of National Lamb Day with industry representatives at Parliament to mark the anniversary of the first frozen lamb exports that left New Zealand in February.
McClay says the Government is focused on getting costs down for farmers.
“We recognise the challenges sheep farmers are facing in the current climate with the oversupply of Australian lamb flooding the market and driving global prices down; and the ongoing barriers faced across the wool sector.
“At the same time, we back our farmers who produce high-quality products that are sought globally.
“The Government recognises the red meat sector’s enduring resilience as an industry that has consistently contributed to New Zealand’s exporting portfolio, and understand we have an obligation to make sure we are not imposing any unnecessary costs on farmers.”
Work to reduce the previous government’s regulatory burden on farmers has already started, McClay says.
Solar generation company, Lodestone Energy is now delivering energy from its second solar farm, Rangitaiki in the Bay of Plenty.
Commercial fruit and vegetable growers are being urged to their say in the upcoming levy referendum to enable Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) to continue its work for the sector.
James and Debbie Stewart from Dairylands in Manawatu impressed judges and took out the 2024 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award.
Manawatu farmers Will Hinton and Kali Rangiawha have scooped the 2024 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year.
More bull breeders are using genetic tools according to the latest research.
Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.