Former Fonterra Director Urges Bipartisan Support for India Free Trade Agreement

Earl Rattray, Waikato, told Rural News that he can't recall a time when trade dealsm which are vital to New Zealand interests, didn't get bipartisan support.

"When it comes to trade matters, politicians must be one team, all pulling in the same direction," he says.

"It will be helpful when the negotiated terms of the deal are released, so we can see what the fuss is about."

National needs the support of Labour to get the FTA ratified in Parliament since coalition partner New Zealand First has withdrawn support over immigration concerns.

Rattray warns that New Zealand will be left further behind and become even less relevant globally as a trading nation if the FTA is delayed.

"It may take a long period to get re-engaged later, if they blow this chance, and then there's no guarantee a future outcome will be any better. So, where are you at the end of all that?"

Rattray says his message to parliamentarians is 'answer one question'.

"Does this deal, on balance, give New Zealand businesses more commercial opportunity than we have now?

"If the answer to that is yes, and I believe it is, then our politicians have a duty to us all to do the right thing and move forward.

"This deal is not perfect, we already know that, not all trade deals are, but it's better to be in the room talking and making progress. The sun always comes up eventually."

Rattray, in partnership with three Indian engineers, run Binsar Farms in Haryana state.

The farm "inherits traditional practices and International standards to produce best quality milk for our consumers", it's website says.