Primary sector leaders praise speed and ambition of India–NZ free trade deal
Primary sector leaders have praised the government and its officials for putting the Indian free trade deal together in just nine months.
Kate Acland, Beef + Lamb New Zealand chair told Rural News that the results of the annual meeting remits show there is "clearly not a consensus" among sheep and beef farmers on the issue of remaining within He Waka Eke Noa.
Of the 22% of farmers who voted, it was evenly split about B+LNZ's involvement in the process, she says.
"We need to get out there and hear more from all farmers to help us inform the next steps. What is clear from farmers is that there are significant concerns about the emissions pricing system and process and there are still too many unanswered questions. As an interim step, we have called for a staged implementation of an emissions pricing framework with the deferral of any pricing until outstanding issues are resolved.
"Our message to partners and Government has been that we need to take the time to discuss these issues further with our farmers, listen to their concerns and this will help determine next steps. We will be announcing details of this in the coming weeks.
"We have also been explicit that we will not accept an emissions pricing framework that will disproportionately impact the viability of sheep and beef farms and we will walk away, if necessary."
Acland says they are currently in the process of contacting all remit proposers.
Global trade has been thrown into another bout of uncertainty following the overnight ruling by US Supreme Court, striking down President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on trading partners.
Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted.
Fonterra farmer shareholders and unit holders are in line for another payment in April.
Farmers are being encouraged to take a closer look at the refrigerants running inside their on-farm systems, as international and domestic pressure continues to build on high global warming potential (GWP) 400-series refrigerants.
As expected, Fonterra has lifted its 2025-26 forecast farmgate milk price mid-point to $9.50/kgMS.
Bovonic says a return on investment study has found its automated mastitis detection technology, QuadSense, is delivering financial, labour, and animal-health benefits on New Zealand dairy farms worth an estimated $29,547 per season.

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